The expansion will make ABLE accounts available to thousands more disabled Vermonters
Vermont Business Magazine Today, Treasurer Pieciak announced that thousands more Vermonters with qualifying disabilities are now eligible to open a Vermont ABLE account due to a federal expansion of the program under the ABLE Age Adjustment Act.
Taking effect January 1, 2026, the act raises the age of disability onset for ABLE eligibility from 26 to 46, opening the door for many Vermonters who were previously excluded from the program to participate, including veterans and individuals who acquired disabilities later in life due to illness, injury, or accident.
Vermont ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals with disabilities to save and invest for qualified disability-related expenses, including housing, education, transportation, and healthcare, without jeopardizing eligibility for public benefits like Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. The Treasurer’s Office administers the Vermont ABLE program and is focused on ensuring Vermonters understand how recent changes will support savers and their families.
“At every turn, disabled Vermonters face barriers to living with dignity,” said Treasurer Pieciak. “The ABLE expansion gives more individuals with disabilities and their families a path toward success, ensuring they can build savings, plan for the future, and afford basic needs—all without risking the benefits they rely on.”
For many Vermont families, ABLE accounts are more than financial tools—they make a meaningful difference in daily life and long-term planning.
One Vermont parent shared that their son’s ABLE account has allowed him to save for special items and experiences that would otherwise be out of reach on his income. After opening his account, he deposited stimulus checks and now receives contributions from relatives as gifts. He has used those funds to make purchases that make a positive impact on his quality of life and independence. With more than $5,000 currently saved, the account also provides a sense of security and will be an important resource as the family plans for supportive housing in the future.
Another Vermont family described how an ABLE account can serve as a financial safety net during a mental health crisis. After their son experienced repeated psychiatric hospitalizations and became suicidal, the family determined residential treatment was necessary. However, the required out-of-network care costs between $500 and $1,500 per day and may last for months. Even with insurance, deductibles and co-pays are substantial. The family anticipates relying on his ABLE account to help pay for treatment.
As the parent explained, “People with autism are [statistically more] likely to die by suicide... It’s not a feel-good story for using ABLE—it’s an example of how it can be used as a safety net in life-or-death situations.”
In addition to the eligibility expansion, Vermont ABLE accounts now offer lower fees to make saving more affordable. New accountholders can also receive a $25 match on their first deposit.
The Treasurer’s Office partners closely with the Vermont Developmental Disabilities Council to provide guidance, education, and outreach to Vermonters about ABLE accounts and how they can support greater financial independence and long-term stability for people with disabilities.
The Treasurer’s Office encourages Vermonters living with a disability, their family members, caregivers, and service providers, to explore whether an ABLE account may now be an option.
For more information about the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, visit the ABLE National Resource Center.
The ABLE National Resource Center will also host a webinar on January 22 from 2 to 3 PM ET for newly eligible individuals, families, and professionals, covering ABLE age adjustment, eligibility and enrollment basics, potential impacts on benefits, and practical tips for managing an account. Those interested in attending can register here.
Vermont-specific program details and enrollment information are available at vermontable.com.
1.12.2026. Office of the Vermont State Treasurer
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