ABLE Accounts

Anyone who has a significant disability with a documented onset before turning 46 years of age is eligible to open an ABLE account. 

This means…

• They have a disability with functional limitations documented by a physician with letter of certification.

OR…

• They receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

OR…

• They are medically eligible for SSI or SSDI benefits, i.e. certain disabled children or working adults with disabilities who receive Medicaid benefits.

Idaho ABLE Savings Plan is offered by the State of Idaho through a partnership with STABLE Account, a national ABLE plan administered by the Ohio Treasurer’s Office.  

Opening an Account

• What information will the ABLE program need in order to open an account?

  • Make sure you have this information handy: 

    • Your email address;

    • Your birthday;

    • Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number;

    • Home address. 

    If you’re an Authorized Legal Representative, you’ll need the same information as the beneficiary’s, plus your work status. 

    If the beneficiary is not eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, they need a signed Diagnosis Form from a licensed physician. 

• What proof will you need to show that your disbursements are qualified expenses?
  • Keep your receipts and documentation for all qualified expenses in case the IRS wants to see them. Idaho ABLE doesn’t require proof of your expenses, but you should have it for your records.

Opening Cost and Fees

• How much does it cost to open an account?
  • You’ll need to make an initial deposit of at least $25 to get started and a $1 minimum for any contribution after that.
• Is there an annual fee?
  • As a STABLE Partner State, there is no annual fee for an Idaho ABLE account
• What about other fees? 
  • There are small asset-based fee of between 0.19% and 0.33%, depending on the chosen investment options.
  • If you choose to have a STABLE Visa card, there is a monthly $5.00 fee.
  • If you choose to have a paper statement mailed to you and opt out of electronic statements, there is a fee of $20.00 per year.
  • There may be fees for any additional services.

How do I open an account?

Visit the Idaho Able Savings Plan page to open your account.

• An ABLE account may provide more choice and control for the beneficiary and their family.
• The cost of establishing an account will be less than Special Needs or Pooled Income Trusts.
• Idaho ABLE Savings Plan offers investment and saving options, allowing greater flexibility for growth.
• A person can have both an ABLE account AND a trust.

Annual Contributions

• The total annual contributions by all individuals, including family and friends, for 2026 is $20,000.
• The ABLE to Work Act allows beneficiaries who are employed to contribute an amount equal to their current year gross income — up to $15,650 (as of 2026) each year — to their ABLE account in addition to the annual standard contribution limit. Keep in mind that if the beneficiary or their employer is contributing to a defined contribution plan (401K), annuity plan (403(b)), or deferred compensation plan (457(b)) this calendar year, the beneficiary is not eligible to make ABLE to Work contributions.

Limitations for SSI and other public benefits

• The first $100,000 in an ABLE account is exempt from the SSI and other public benefits $2,000 individual resource limit.
• When an ABLE account balance exceeds $100,000, the beneficiary’s SSI cash benefit will be stopped until the account falls back below $100,000.
• While the beneficiary’s SSI cash benefit is suspended there is no loss of Medicaid eligibility.

Medicaid Payback

• When an ABLE account owner passes away, the state Medicaid program may file a claim against the account to reclaim Medicaid related expenses.

A qualified disability expense is any expense related to an individual as a result of living with a disability that will maintain or increase a person’s health, independence or quality of life.

Qualified Disability Expenses

• Education
• Housing
• Transportation
• Employment training and support
• Assistive Technology (ramps, computer software, eye glasses and more)
• Personal Assistant Services
• Health care expenses (not covered by insurance)
• Financial management and administrative services
• Basic living expenses: Currently the IRS has ruled that basic living expenses, including food, clothing and utilities, also qualify.

Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Program (WIPA)

• Services are provided statewide in Montana and Idaho under Cooperative Agreement from the Social Security Administration.

These videos, through the Idaho Department of Labor, are specific to Idaho.

• How Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and employment can work together. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBqJda-k_2Oy25A2rTIWHvugGa28q0d77

Disability Rights Idaho

• Protection & Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS). https://disabilityrightsidaho.org

ABLE National Resource Center

 

Upcoming Workshops

To schedule a workshop, please contact SILC at 208-334-3800 or toll-free 1-800-487-4866