Organizational Authorized Legal Representatives

ABLE accounts are a life-changing savings opportunity that creates financial freedom and equity for people living with disabilities and allows for management by an Authorized Legal Representative (ALR), when necessary. Taking the step to become an Organizational ALR will allow your organization to offer a new level of support to your clients, providing resources and guidance to help them reach their financial goals.

Organizational ALRs can place funds in the ABLE account to assist in managing asset limits and prevent the suspension of Social Security, Medicaid, and other benefits. Even organizations that serve as Representative Payees as designated by the Social Security Administration can enroll as Organizational ALRs to better help the people they support.

Creating accounts for your clients is easy, and you can set up many accounts at one time. With Maryland ABLE, you can easily manage a client's account, make payments, load a free prepaid debit card, and more. Plus, Maryland ABLE accounts can have up to $100,000 before affecting SSI benefits, which means clients can save more money and your organization does not have to keep assets below the standard $2,000 limit.

Learn More about ABLE Accounts and How to Serve as an ALR

Managing ABLE Accounts on Behalf of Individuals with Disabilities
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Registering Online is Simple

The online registration process for an Organizational ALR consists of:

  • Information about the Organization and Beneficiary

  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

  • Documentation upload and verification

Information Needed to Register

To register, you will need to provide information that establishes the ability of your organization to act as an ALR. The key information includes:

About the Organization

  1. Basic Information

    Provide formal Organization name, EIN, Organization type, address, contact details, and documentation (varies depending on Organization type)

  2. Controlling Officer Information

    Requires a government–issued ID for the Controlling Officer

  3. Beneficial Owner Information

    Required only if the Organization is a for–profit business

  4. Agent Assignment Information

    Authorize a Primary and/or Secondary Agent to act on behalf of the Organization and provide instructions for the administration of the ABLE accounts; requires a government–issued ID

About the Beneficiary

  1. Basic Information

    Identify the beneficiary/account owner

  2. Relationship to the Beneficiary

    Identify the organization and the source of their authority to act as ALR (e.g. Power of Attorney, Guardianship, Representative Payee, etc.)

  3. Provide communication preferences

    Choose if you want to receive digital or paper statements, forms, and documents

  4. Eligibility Confirmation

    Provide the Beneficiary’s diagnosis code as defined by the form and confirm the Beneficiary’s eligibility to have an ABLE account

Learn How Your Organization Can Open ABLE Accounts

ABLE Registration for Organizational ALRs
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Taking the step to become an Organizational ALR will allow your organization to offer a new level of support to your clients.

Further Documentation

Once you have completed the application and verification, you will need to provide designated documentation to verify your organization.

Nonprofit Organizations

  • One of the following documents:

    • Certified Articles of Incorporation of the Organization

    • U.S. Internal Revenue Code Sec. 501(c)(3) Exempt Organization Affirmation

  • Organization Resolution of Signing Authority

  • Government-issued photo ID for the Controlling Officer

For-Profit Organizations

  • One of the following documents:

    • Certified Articles of Incorporation of the Organization

    • Latest audited financial statements

  • Organization Resolution of Signing Authority

  • Government-issued photo IDs for the Controlling Officer and Beneficial Owner(s)

Government Organizations

  • Organization Resolution of Signing Authority

  • Government-issued photo ID for the Controlling Officer

Further Forms of Identification

Other acceptable forms of identification for Organizations include:

  • Determination Letter

  • General or Limited Partnership Agreement

  • Trust Instrument - Letters of Trusteeship or Executorship

  • A government-issued business license

  • A published annual report

  • 10-K or other information contained on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website, the websites of various self-regulatory organizations (i.e., FINRA), or from other governmental sources

ABLE accounts are a life-changing savings opportunity that creates financial freedom and equity for people living with disabilities.

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Have Specific Questions?

Here are a few ways to get answers. You can contact us online, give us a call Monday through Friday, at 1-855-563-2253 from 9am-8pm ET, or you can browse frequently asked questions.

Individuals with speech or hearing disabilities may dial 711 to access Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) from a telephone or TTY.