If you’re autistic and were diagnosed later in life, you may have missed out on a savings option that could help protect your benefits.
On January 1, 2026, a rule change opened ABLE accounts to millions more people. Before that, your disability had to start before age 26. Now, it must have started before age 46.
That means adults over 50, including those diagnosed with autism later in life, may qualify for an ABLE account.
These accounts let eligible people with disabilities save money without having all those savings count against certain benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Here’s how they work and what you need to know.
What Is an ABLE Account?
An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account for people with qualifying disabilities.
According to the Social Security Administration, up to $100,000 in an ABLE account does not count toward SSI’s resource limit.
That’s important because SSI generally limits countable resources to $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. You can learn more about those rules in our guide to Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
An ABLE account gives eligible people a way to build savings for unexpected expenses, transportation, housing and other needs without having the entire account balance count against SSI.
ABLE funds also receive special treatment under Medicaid and certain other benefit programs, although the rules vary by program. For example, putting money into an ABLE account does not automatically prevent income from being counted when you receive it.
There is one important SSI limit: If your ABLE account balance exceeds $100,000, the amount above that threshold may count toward SSI’s resource limit. Your SSI payments could be suspended if your total countable resources exceed the allowed limit.
Medicaid coverage may continue during a suspension caused solely by excess ABLE resources if you otherwise remain eligible.
Who Qualifies?
The biggest change is the age when your disability began.
Under the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, the qualifying disability must have started before your 46th birthday, instead of before age 26.
This change took effect on January 1, 2026.
To qualify, you generally must:
- Have a qualifying disability that began before age 46.
- Have a physical or mental impairment that causes marked and severe functional limitations.
- Have a condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death.
- Meet the program’s disability certification requirements or qualify through eligible Social Security disability benefits.
You do not have to be receiving SSI or SSDI to open an ABLE account.
Your employment status and income do not automatically disqualify you, either.
You can open an ABLE account at any age, as long as your qualifying disability began before age 46.
Each eligible person can have only one ABLE account at a time.
What If You Were Diagnosed With Autism Later in Life?
Many autistic adults over 50 were never diagnosed as children. Some didn’t receive a diagnosis until their 40s, 50s or even later.
The new rule could make ABLE accounts available to people who previously thought they were too old to qualify.
The key is when your qualifying disability began, not when you received your diagnosis.
For example, someone diagnosed with autism at 55 might qualify if their disability met the required standard before age 46.
However, a late autism diagnosis alone does not guarantee eligibility. The disability must meet the program’s severity and age-of-onset requirements.
If you don’t qualify automatically through Social Security disability benefits, you may need a disability certification.
According to the ABLE National Resource Center, this generally involves certifying that you have a qualifying disability and keeping a physician-signed diagnosis and supporting documentation.
Most plans allow you to certify your eligibility when opening the account rather than submitting medical records immediately. However, you should keep the documentation in case the plan or IRS requests it.
If you’re unsure whether your disability qualifies, ask your doctor and the ABLE plan you’re considering about the certification requirements.
How Much Can You Put In?
For 2026, the general annual contribution limit is $20,000.
That limit applies to contributions from all sources combined.
Money can come from:
- Your own savings or income
- Friends and family members
- Gifts
- A special needs trust
- Other permitted sources, such as certain settlements
You don’t have to contribute the entire amount yourself.
What If You Work?
If you have a job, you may qualify for additional contributions through ABLE to Work.
This allows certain employed account owners to contribute more than the regular annual limit.
The additional amount depends on your earnings, where you live and whether contributions are being made to certain employer retirement plans.
Check with your ABLE plan to determine your personal contribution limit before depositing extra money.
Each state ABLE plan also has its own maximum account balance. That limit can be much higher than the $100,000 SSI exclusion.
Remember that the maximum account balance and the amount excluded from SSI resources are not the same thing.
What Can You Spend ABLE Money On?
ABLE funds must be used for qualified disability expenses.
The good news is that these expenses aren’t limited to medical bills or disability equipment.
The ABLE National Resource Center explains that qualified expenses can include:
- Housing: Rent, mortgage payments and certain housing-related expenses.
- Food: Groceries and other qualifying basic living expenses.
- Transportation: Vehicle expenses, public transportation and other transportation needs.
- Health and wellness: Medical care, therapies and related services.
- Education: Tuition, books and other educational expenses.
- Employment support: Job training and work-related assistance.
- Assistive technology: Equipment and services that support independence.
- Legal and financial services: Certain expenses related to managing disability needs.
The expense must relate to the account owner’s disability and help maintain or improve their health, independence or quality of life.
You should keep receipts and records of how ABLE money is spent.
One important caution: Housing withdrawals can affect SSI if the money is kept beyond the month it is withdrawn. If you receive SSI, check the withdrawal rules before using ABLE funds for rent or other housing expenses.
How Do You Open an ABLE Account?
You can usually open an ABLE account online through a participating state plan.
The ABLE National Resource Center’s account-opening guide can help you compare plans and understand the process.
Here are the basic steps:
- Choose an ABLE plan. Compare available plans, including fees, investment options and account features. You may be able to use a plan from another state.
- Gather your information. You’ll generally need your Social Security number, identification, contact information and banking details.
- Confirm your eligibility. If you qualify through disability certification, make sure you have the required medical documentation.
- Complete the application. Most plans offer online enrollment. Ask the plan whether paper applications are available if you prefer one.
- Choose your account options. Depending on the plan, you may have savings, investment or spending account features.
- Make your first deposit. Follow the plan’s minimum deposit requirements, if any.
You can manage your own account if you’re able to do so.
If you need help, an authorized legal representative may be able to open or manage the account on your behalf. The representative must meet the plan’s requirements.
If you already have an ABLE account and want to move to another plan, read our guide to transferring ABLE accounts from bank to bank.
What Is the Catch?
ABLE accounts can be useful, but there are a few important things to understand before opening one.
First, an ABLE account doesn’t give you money. It’s a place to save money you already have or receive from other sources.
Second, plans may charge account fees, and investment options may involve financial risk. Compare plans before choosing one.
Third, withdrawals need to be used for qualified disability expenses to receive the intended tax benefits. Nonqualified withdrawals may result in taxes and penalties on the earnings portion.
Finally, there is something called Medicaid payback.
After an ABLE account owner dies, a state Medicaid agency may be able to claim some remaining account funds to recover certain Medicaid expenses paid after the account was opened.
There are important limitations and exceptions. Outstanding qualified disability expenses and certain other permitted costs may take priority, and some states have restricted or eliminated Medicaid recovery from ABLE accounts.
The rules depend on the state and circumstances, so it’s worth asking about Medicaid payback before choosing a plan.
You can learn more about these protections and limitations through the ABLE National Resource Center.
Relief Recap
The new ABLE age rule could make a meaningful difference for older adults with disabilities, including autistic people who were diagnosed later in life.
Since January 1, 2026, you may qualify for an ABLE account if your qualifying disability began before age 46, even if you’re now over 50 or 60.
For 2026, eligible account owners can generally receive up to $20,000 in annual contributions, with additional contributions possible for certain workers. Up to $100,000 in an ABLE account is excluded from SSI’s resource calculation.
You don’t have to receive SSI or SSDI to qualify, but you must meet the disability requirements. Account fees, spending rules and possible Medicaid recovery are also worth considering.
If you think you might qualify, start with the ABLE National Resource Center’s guide to opening an account.
And if you’re trying to understand how savings affect your monthly benefits, our SSI guide can help you learn the basics before making a decision.
