Big Changes in 2026: Expanded Financial Benefits for Americans with Disabilities
Social Security disability (SSD) provides critical income for people who are no longer able to work due to a medical condition. Those are earned benefits accrued across your working life, and offer an important safety net. But SSD benefits are just one piece of the financial puzzle.
People with disabilities often face financial challenges, especially if they are dependent on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. That’s because what is typically considered responsible financial management, such as building an emergency savings account, can disqualify a person from receiving those benefits.
At the same time, a person living with disabilities may need that safety net even more. According to a report from the National Disability Institute, on average a disabled person needs about 28% more income than a non-disabled person to sustain the same standard of living.
For more than a decade, certain Americans with disabilities have had an important tool to help address that problem: ABLE accounts. In 2026, millions of people who previously didn’t qualify for ABLE accounts will be eligible.
What is an ABLE Account?
ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. The accounts were created through federal legislation in 2014, with a goal of allowing individuals with disabilities and their families to contribute to the disabled person’s support without disqualifying them from critical federal benefits.
Social Security disability benefit eligibility is not affected by resources, since SSD is an insurance program for workers who have paid in to the system during their working years. However, some SSD recipients may rely on other public benefits, such as Medicaid. And, SSI is a need-based program with low resource limits.
The statute creating ABLE accounts makes them “non-countable” assets for purposes of Medicaid eligibility, SSI, and other federally-funded need-based benefits. There are caps on contributions and caps on the amount of money that is ignored when considering program eligibility, but they are high.
Monetary Limits on ABLE Accounts
There are several different limits to consider when setting up, contributing to, and managing an ABLE account. Some key considerations in 2026 are:
Contribution limits: The aggregate annual contributions to an ABLE account cannot exceed the federal gift tax exclusion. In 2026, that’s $19,000/year. The limit applies to the beneficiary and not the specific donors. So, the beneficiary can receive a maximum of $19,000/year, but there is no limit on the aggregate amount a contributor can give to multiple beneficiaries.
SSI Resource Limit: For SSI purposes, only $100,000 in an ABLE account is disregarded. Any amount in excess of $100,000 will be counted as a resource, and could disqualify the recipient from SSI benefits.
Overall Contribution Limit: The total contributions to an ABLE account may not be greater than the state’s limit on contributions to a 529 account. This cap varies from state to state. In 2026, state caps range from $235,000 to $621,411.
As you can see, the impact of an ABLE account and the limitations on contributions will vary from state to state and based on which programs you receive benefits from. So, it is important to make sure you thoroughly understand the rules in your state and the possible impact on your benefits. For example, the general resource cap for SSI is just $2,000 for an individual. So, a very slight difference in your ABLE account balance could mean the difference between receiving monthly SSI benefits and losing eligibility.
Qualified Disability Expenses (QDEs)
Withdrawals for qualified disability expenses are typically tax free. That classification isn’t limited to medical care, but covers a range of necessities such as:
Housing costs
Educational expenses
Employment training
Personal support services
Financial management services
Legal services
Health and welfare expenses
Who Can Have an ABLE Account in 2026?
This is the big change in 2026. When ABLE accounts were created, Social Security disability and SSI recipients and those whose impairments met the disability or blindness standard for SSI for children were eligible–but only if their disability started before the age of 26. While this benefitted a great many people with certain types of disabilities, it excluded the vast majority of both SSD and SSI recipients.
A 2024 law increased the age cut-off by 20 years. Starting January 1, 2026, anyone who meets the general criteria is eligible for an ABLE account if they became disabled before age 46. That still leaves out many disability recipients, since a high percentage of new disability determinations are for people aged 50+. But, it has been estimated that about six million more SSD and SSI recipients will qualify for ABLE accounts under the updated law.
How to Establish an ABLE Account
There’s a lot to consider when choosing an ABLE account, so the process is generally best tackled with the help of a financial advisor or a disability advocate familiar with the intricacies of ABLE accounts and account management. Some key issues to consider:
State: Most states offer ABLE plans, and there may be some tax benefits to establishing a plan in your own state. But most states also allow out-of-state account holders, so be sure to explore all of your options.
Costs: There are generally management fees associated with ABLE accounts, but they may vary significantly. Some may charge just a flat fee per month or year, while others may charge percentage-based fees.
Investment Options: Like 401(k) accounts, ABLE accounts typically allow account holders to choose their investment plan. But some plans offer only a handful of options, while others may have a dozen or more.
ABLE accounts offer an opportunity for Social Security disability and SSI recipients to raise their standard of living without putting their SSI benefits, Medicaid, or other federally-funded benefits at risk. However, it’s crucial to make informed decisions about the account and its management. One good source of information is the ABLE National Resource Center.
SSD and SSI Benefits
For most people, qualifying for an ABLE account starts with being approved for SSD or SSI benefits. Unfortunately, that process can be long and complicated. At Disability Help Group, we’ve helped thousands of people secure the disability benefits they deserve. To learn more about how we can help with your disability application or appeal, call us today at 800-800-3332 or fill out our contact form here.
Recent Updates To The Social Security Fairness Act:
January 5th, 2025: President Joe Biden has officially signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law, eliminating the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset.
December 23th, 2024: The U.S. Senate passed the Social Security Fairness Act, sending it to President Joe Biden for final approval.
December 18th, 2024: The Senate voted to move forward with a final vote on the Social Security Fairness Act before the end of the year.
“For too many years, vital public sector employees like teachers, postal workers, police and firefighters have been denied full access to the money they paid into the Social Security Administration. We here at Disability Help Group are pleased to see that after forty years of lobbying, the Social Security Fairness Act will correct these inequities. The fact that the Social Security Fairness Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support reaffirms the fact that the federal government and the American people are committed to making Social Security as strong as it can be for the retired and the disabled populations who rely on these benefits. In the upcoming months, Disability Help Group is planning outreach campaigns to educate public sector employees and their unions about the additional benefits that may be available with the law’s passage. We expect nearly three million Americans may be positively impacted. The Senate is pushing for a vote on a bill that could expand Social Security benefits for millions of people.”
– Matt Sauerwald, President, Disability Help Group
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. said he will start the process for a final vote on the Social Security Fairness Act for a potential passage in the final days of the Biden administration.
How can I get more information on the Social Security Fairness Act?
While this could move quickly in the lame duck session, News organizations have been following it closely. You can read more about it from supporters and critics of the bill.
Matthew Sauerwald, President, Disability Help Group makes sense of the legislation and gives you exactly what you need to know in under three minutes. Watch the video here:
How to Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits
Social Security disability (SSDI) can provide essential income and access to medical care for those who qualify. But, the process can be complicated and discouraging. The more you know in advance about how the process works and what is expected of you, the better.
This post provides an overview of how to apply for Social Security disability benefits. If you need additional information or assistance, a Social Security Disability Advocate can be your best resource.
When and How to Start Your SSDI Application
The best time to apply for Social Security disability benefits is as soon as you become disabled. For most disabilities, you won’t be eligible for benefits until your sixth month of disability. But, the process can take time. Even if you are approved at the initial application stage, it can take three to six months. So, don’t delay.
The best way to submit your application is online–online applications move more quickly, and you’ll have the opportunity to stop the process if necessary to gather information or just take a break. You can easily return to your saved application later. If you’re unable to apply online, you may call the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 800-772-1213.
What You’ll Need for Your Social Security Disability Benefits Application
The SSA will need information about your work history, your medical condition, and your daily activities and limitations to make a decision on your application. The SSA makes some materials available to help you make sure you have all of the information you need for your application, such as this medical and work history worksheet. Gathering this information in advance is especially important if you will be making your application over the phone.
What To Expect After You Apply for Disability Benefits
It typically takes three to six months to receive a determination on your initial application for Social Security disability benefits. If your initial application is denied, don’t be discouraged. The approval rate is low at the initial application stage, but many of those applicants go on to receive benefits at a later stage in the process.
Learn How a Social Security Disability Advocate Can Help
An experienced advocate can help ensure that your application is complete, that you’ve provided the right documentation, and that you haven’t made mistakes that could delay or derail your claim. The earlier you get knowledgeable guidance, the better.
If you’ve already filed and your claim has been denied, we can help with that, too. Call (800) 800-2009 to learn more about how we can put our experience to work for you.
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a type of cancer that typically affects children under the age of five. The American Cancer Society estimates doctors will diagnose another 5,970 new cases this year, and 1,440 people will die from ALL. This type of cancer attacks the lymphoblasts, immature white blood cells in bone marrow.
For years, treatment for ALL has started with chemotherapy and often progresses to stem cell transplantation, radiation therapy, and targeted drugs.
One treatment that doctors have used for decades is the application of the L-asparaginase enzyme. This enzyme is isolated from Escherichia coli and Erwinia chrysanthemi bacteria, and can achieve a high rate of remission. However, it has the risk of causing mild to severe allergic responses in about 25 percent of patients.
Researchers have begun the process of seeking a less toxic enzyme to help improve remission rates. The study, published in Scientific Reports, began by looking at several fungi that also secrete the L-asparaginase enzyme. They found that common baker’s yeast had a similar enzyme and carried less risk of an immune response thanks to a composition similar to human cells.
Researchers tested the effectiveness of the yeast enzyme against the E. coli enzyme. When added to human leukemia cells, the yeast enzyme killed roughly 70-80 percent of the MOLT4 (asparagine) cells, while the E. coli enzyme killed about 90 percent. Even though the yeast enzyme had a lower cell death rate, doctors might consider it for use in patients who are likely to have an immune response.
Leukemia Qualify Your Child for Social Security Disability
Children with certain childhood diseases, like leukemia, are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and might be entitled to Social Security disability benefits under their parents’ contributions. To find out more about your child’s eligibility and how to file a claim on their behalf, the Disability Help Group is here to help.
Call us at 800-800-2009 to speak with one of our disability advocates today for free. Or, click here to see some of our frequently asked questions.
