Families with a loved one who has a disability can find support through ABLE TN, a special savings program run by the Tennessee Treasury Department. This program helps individuals with disabilities and their families set aside money for essential needs while preserving other benefits.
One of the biggest advantages is that the money in an ABLE account grows tax-free when used for “qualified expenses.” Families can learn more about these expenses and how the program works by visiting the ABLE TN website.
Opening an account does not affect federal benefits such as SSI or Medicaid. That means families can save for their child's future while keeping the supports they already depend on. You can choose from low-cost investment options, with fees ranging from about 0.20% to 0.84%. Details are explained on the ABLE TN website.
Money saved in an ABLE account can be used for health care, housing, education, transportation, job training, or other disability-related needs. After creating an account in ABLE TN, you can manage all your information and needs online through the ABLE TN account portal, making it easy to contribute and track savings.
Who Can Qualify for ABLE TN
To open an account, the applicant must be a Tennessee resident who was diagnosed with a disability that began prior to age 26. Beginning in 2026, that age will increase to 46 under new federal rules, helping even more Tennesseans qualify. The person must be eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or have a doctor's certification confirming their condition or have a condition on the Social Security Administration’s list of Compassionate Allowances. To see if you or a member of your family is eligible, use the ABLE Assist tool on ABLE.tn.gov > Eligibility.
Parents, grandparents, or caregivers can help manage the account, but the account is owned by the person with the disability. To learn more and open an account, visit ABLEtn.gov.