Today, the disability community is entering a new era for financial independence. Over two decades ago, I joined a group of concerned parents around a kitchen table, determined to secure our children’s financial futures. We wanted to save for our children with disabilities just as we did for those without.
But outdated policies meant that if an individual with disabilities had more than $2,000 in savings, they risked losing essential public benefits. There was little incentive to save for education, housing, transportation, or even basic living expenses.
That changed with the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014, which allowed individuals with disabilities to save and invest for qualified expenses while maintaining eligibility for federal benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. For our family, ABLE United accounts became a lifeline, helping us build funds for Sean, for today, tomorrow, and whatever the future may hold.
Now, thanks to the new ABLE Age Adjustment Act, we’re entering a new era of inclusion empowerment. Starting January 1, 2026, the age of disability onset for ABLE account eligibility will be raised from 26 to 46. This historic change means that thousands more Floridians, including veterans and adults with later-onset conditions like multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and more, can finally access the benefits of ABLE United accounts.
For the first time, adults who developed disabilities later in life will be able to save up to $20,000 a year, while maintaining their SSI or Medicaid benefits. Family and friends can contribute, and funds can be used for housing, education, health care, support services, and more.
This expansion is more than policy — it’s progress. It’s a win for dignity, autonomy, and financial security.
Over 18,000 Floridians have already secured their futures with ABLE United, saving more than $140 million collectively. With the Age Adjustment Act, we’re opening the door for thousands more to join this movement.
As a mother, advocate, and founding member of the national ABLE Act, I’ve seen firsthand how these accounts transform lives. For our family, and for so many others, ABLE United means hope, opportunity and and a brighter future.
Jenn Sikora is an Orlando resident, ABLE United Board Member and statewide Ambassador. She is mother to her 23-year-old son with Down syndrome and is also a founding member of the national ABLE Act.
