ABLE Accounts Help Beneficiaries Achieve Financial Security—Without Risking Benefits
Save up to $20,000/year
Earnings grow tax-free
Funds used for qualified expenses are tax-free
Includes housing, education, health care and more!
Savings under $100,000 don’t affect SSI
How Professionals Can Help
Whether you're a financial advisor, tax preparer, estate planner, or benefits coordinator, your expertise can make a lasting difference. Here’s how you can support your clients:
Determine eligibility
and explain how an ABLE account complements other financial tools
Guide them through enrollment
and funding options, including one-time contributions and recurring transfers
Help manage accounts
through strategies that align with overall financial goals
Coordinate with public benefits programs
to ensure no disruption in services
ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trust (SNT) Work Together
An ABLE United Account can work well in conjunction with a third-party special needs trust. The trust can be used to fund the ABLE Account, allowing for convenient access to the funds.
The ABLE Account provides additional flexibility to pay for a variety of expenditures, including housing-related expenses, without impacting SSI benefits.
What is an Authorized Legal Representative (ALR)?
An Authorized Legal Representative (ALR) is a person who is authorized to open and manage an ABLE United account on behalf of an eligible individual with a severe diagnosis or disability, also called the beneficiary.
Who Can Be an ALR?
You can serve as an ALR if you are a:
A parent or legal guardian
of the eligible individual
A representative payee
appointed by the Social Security Administration
Someone with Power of Attorney
for financial matters
What Does an ALR Do?
An ALR has full access to the ABLE United account, including the ability to:
Open and manage the account
Make contributions and withdrawals
Choose investment options
View balances and activity
Ensure funds are used for qualified disability expenses
Note: There can only be one ALR per account. The ALR manages the account for the benefit of the eligible individual. The ALR can appoint additional roles to help manage the account.
Why This Matters for Professionals
If you’re a financial advisor, attorney, case manager, or social worker, understanding the role of an ALR is essential when helping clients or families set up and manage an ABLE United account.
Looking for more tools and information?
Visit Our FAQs
It took me a little while to warm up to the idea of an ABLE United account, but now I understand how critical it is used alone or in partnership with a Special Needs Trust. A special needs trust can fund an ABLE United account for use toward support and health expenses. That way, it doesn’t count as income against the individual, and the individual keeps their Medicaid and SSI benefits.
I’ll continue to fight for equal rights and better opportunities for the disability community; but, with an ABLE United account – my daughter and many others can secure their financial future.
Catherine Davey
Estate Planning Lawyer
Need Help or Want to Learn More?
If your organization serves as a Representative Payee, as designated by the Social Security Administration, discover how your organization can enroll individuals with disabilities into ABLE Accounts as an Organizational ALR. Learn about the benefits, registration process, and required documentation to help beneficiaries save and invest for their future while maintaining their SSI or Medicaid benefits.
