Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll down to see answers to things we get asked a lot. If you're looking for something specific, enter or choose a keyword below.
- About ABLE
- ALR
- Benefits
- Contributions
- Eligibility
- General
- Gifting
- How the account works
- Linking bank accounts
- Opening an account
- Qualified expenses
- Successors and Estates
- Tax benefits
- Who can be a beneficiary of a Maryland ABLE account?
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If you developed a disability or blindness before the age of 26* and are eligible for SSI or SSDI benefits, or have a signed Diagnosis Form from a licensed physician, you can open an account.
*Age increases to 46 after January 1, 2026.
- Can I enroll and manage a Maryland ABLE account with a paper form?
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The easiest, fastest way to enroll for and manage a Maryland ABLE account is online.
If you want to use paper forms for enrollment or managing your account, you can find those forms here.
- Are there age restrictions to open an account?
- An adult beneficiary who can manage an account for themselves can open an account or select anyone to act as their Authorized Legal Representative (also known as an ALR). If a beneficiary is under the age of 18, they must have an ALR do it for them. If the person is unable to select someone to... Read more
- What do I need to open an account?
- If you’re the beneficiary of the account, make sure you have this information handy: Your email. Your birthday. Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number. Contact details. Proof of eligibility. If you’re an Authorized Legal Representative, you’ll need your information... Read more
- Is there a minimum to open an account?
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You need $25 to get the account started. After that, you can add as little as $10 at any time.
- How do I choose an investment option?
- If you decide to invest all or some of the money, there are four investment options to pick from: ABLE Fixed Income, ABLE Conservative, ABLE Moderate, and ABLE Aggressive, and the Cash option. We can help educate you on the differences between all the investment options and the Cash option, but we... Read more
- Can I open a new account if my previous account was closed?
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Yes, log in to your closed account using your email and password, then find the “Create new account” link to get started.
- Is there a mobile app for Maryland ABLE?
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If you already have an account, you can download the Vestwell app for iOS and log in using your Maryland ABLE account username and password. You can then make withdrawals, contributions, share gifting pages, and more whenever and wherever you want.
