According to data from the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), there are more than144,000 total ABLE accounts with over $1.39 billon in assets under management (AUM). While 144,000 individuals with disabilities (and their families) have opened up ABLE accounts across the country - today, there are 8 million individuals with disabilities eligible to open up an ABLE account.
ABLE accounts are a "best kept secret" for the disability community. This is why NAST launched its ABLE today initiative last year, with generous support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, to help spread the word about these life-changing financial tools.
Our mission at ABLE today is to advance financial empowerment for people with disabilities by increasing the awareness of ABLE accounts. ABLE today supports national outreach for ABLE
programs, directly engages the disability community, and provides resources on ABLE accounts. By directly connecting with the disability community, ABLE today can educate self-advocates and provide families with the financial planning supports they may need to ensure that their child with a disability can lead a full, financially independent life. •
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sara Hart Weir is a national ABLE expert, nonprofit executive and disability activist. Weir serves as a senior advisor to ABLE today. Weir is the former President & C.E.O. of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS), where during her tenure at NDSS, she led the passage of the landmark, bipartisan Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act in 2014 (P.L.113-295). Weir also supported a majority of the enactment of ABLE state laws, assisted with over 40 state ABLE plan launches as well as led efforts to expand ABLE to include the ABLE to Work Act and the ABLE Financial Planning Act. Weir has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Leadership from Westminster College and a Master of Science in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College.
ABOUT ABLE TODAY
ABLE today
ABLE today, launched by the National Association of State Treasurers Foundation (NAST Foundation) in 2022, is a national awareness and educational initiative aimed at advancing financial empowerment and community inclusion for people with disabilities through ABLE accounts. ABLE today's mission is to advance financial empowerment for people with disabilities by increasing the awareness of ABLE accounts. For more information, please visiy abletoday.org
2023). There are lifetime balance limits for the various state ABLE Programs, which range from around $300k to over $500k.
Through an ABLE account, imagine for the first time having:
- The opportunity to save over a $2,000 limit
- The ability to accumulate wealth without jeopardizing eligibility for benefit programs
- The ability to save for a down payment on your first home
- The choice to work more for the chance to earn more income
- The empowerment of changing your financial plan from monthly to yearly.
HOW DO YOU OPEN AN ABLE ACCOUNT?
ABLE programs allow you to either enroll online and/or submit a paper application. The account also offers flex
ible enrollment, as the individual with the disability can open and manage their own account, or a support person can oversee account management.
When researching ABLE plans, we encourage you to consider your home state's plan(s) first, as your state may offer state tax or other incentives to residents using an in-state plan.
To find the ABLE account for you, visit abletoday.org/able-programs.
ABLE ACCESSIBILITY & EDUCATION TOOLS
ABLE today offers a comprehensive set of accessible educational tools for the disability community. ABLE today, Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), and the Wells Fargo Foundation recently partnered together to create and launch an ASL Resource to raise ABLE awareness, specifically for the deaf and hard of hearing community available in English and Spanish.
This ABLE ASL Resource also features native ASL users presenting the information on ABLE accounts and the video was produced by members of the deaf and hard of hearing (D/HH) community.
PARTNER WITH ABLE TODAY
Let's support each other in helping get the word out about ABLE accounts. If you're interested in becoming an ABLE today partner, requesting a presentation, or to help with promoting ABLE accounts nationwide, please let us know by dropping us an email at: info@abletoday.org. Our vision is to provide resources on ABLE accounts including background, benefits, and impactful opportunities for people with disabilities. You can also follow us on social media for the most up to date nationwide ABLE updates by visiting our website at: abletoday.org.