Disclaimer:The following blog post is sponsored by ABLE United and Bloggin Mamas. All opinions are my own.

If you’re a special needs parent or caretaker you may have wondered about your child’s financial  future. I have and wasn’t sure of what savings programs may have been available for those differently Abled individuals. As of July 1, 2016, residents of Florida who have been disabled at 26 years or younger now can apply for “The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, which authorizes states to create tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. ABLE United is a promise for a better future, independence and financial wellness for individuals with disabilities and their families.

What is the ABLE Act?

The Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, Became law on December 19, 2014. This Act creates Section 529A of the Internal Revenue Code and encourages individuals with disabilities to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life

Florida Achieving a Better Life Experience Act Became law on July 1, 2015, and creates an ABLE Program under the Florida Prepaid College Board with program launch by July 1, 2016.

So who is eligible?

• Florida Residents
• Have a qualifying disability with onset before age 26

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What are the Qualifying Disabilities?

The Internal Revenue Service categorizes eligible disabilities as follows:

Developmental Disorders: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s Disorder, Developmental delays and learning disabilities

Intellectual Disability: May be reported as mild, moderate, or severe intellectual disability

Psychiatric Disorders: Schizophrenia, Major depressive disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anorexia Nervosa, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD), Bipolar Disorder
Nervous Disorders: Blindness, Deafness, Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, Juvenile-onset Huntington’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Severe sensorineural hearing loss,

Congenital Anomalies: Chromosomal abnormalities, including Down Syndrome; Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Xeroderma Pigmentosum, Spinal muscular atrophy, Fragile X Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome,Congenital cataracts,

Respiratory Disorders: Cystic Fibrosis

Other: Includes Tetralogy of Fallot, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, End-stage liver disease, Juvenile-onset rheumatoid arthritis, Sickle cell disease, Hemophilia, and any other disability not listed.

More information about this program: