Who can have an account?

To be eligible for an ABLE account, you or the beneficiary must:

• Be blind or have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that results in marked and severe functional limitations, and such condition developed before the age of 26 and will last, or has lasted, at least a year;

• Be a U.S. citizen; and

• Confirm one of the following:

  • Are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) because of a disability;

  • Experience blindness as determined by the Social Security Act; or

  • Can provide a signed diagnosis from a licensed physician if requested.

In 2022, the U.S. Congress passed the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. This legislation increases the eligibility age of beneficiaries of ABLE accounts from the onset of disability before age 26 to age 46 — beginning January 1, 2026. Until then, only individuals who have a qualifying disability beginning before age 26 are eligible to open a CalABLE account.

How to open an account?

If you are the beneficiary and are over the age of 18 and can manage your own account, go ahead, and get started.

If you’re the Authorized Legal Representative (ALR) of an individual with a qualifying disability, you can open an account if you can attest that you have been selected by the eligible beneficiary with legal capacity, have a fully and properly executed Power of Attorney, are a court-appointed conservator or legal guardian, are a spouse, parent, sibling, or grandparent, or are a representative payee (individual or organization), in that order of priority.