If you are a parent or caregiver of a child enrolled in the Early Intervention program, you may have recently received information regarding Illinois Achieving a Better Life Experience (IL ABLE) accounts. On August 15, 2025, Illinois House Bill 3500 was passed, requiring that Child and Family Connections Offices share information about IL ABLE accounts with parents or guardians of children receiving early intervention services during the initial development of an individual family service plan (IFSP) and at each IFSP review meeting. Not all families in early intervention will be eligible to create an IL ABLE account, however for those who are it is an excellent way to plan and save for your child’s future. Early Intervention staff are providing the information, but questions should be directed to illinoisable.com.
What is an IL ABLE Account?
An IL ABLE account is a special savings account for people with disabilities and their families. It allows families to save money for disability-related expenses without risking future benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. Earnings and withdrawals are tax-free if they are spent on a broad range of expenses, such as:
- housing,
- health and wellness,
- education and training,
- therapy,
- basic living expenses, and more.
Simply put, an IL ABLE account helps families save and plan for the future to support a person’s health, independence, and quality of life.
My child is enrolled in Early Intervention – do I have to create an IL ABLE account for them?
No. Families are not required to open an IL ABLE account for your child. IL ABLE accounts are an optional savings tool that families may choose if:
- their child meets the disability criteria and
- the family wants to use it for qualified disability-related expenses.
Not all families will meet eligibility requirements.
How do I know if I am eligible to own an IL ABLE account?
Parents and guardians of children enrolled in Early Intervention may open an ABLE account if the following requirements are met:
- Disability onset – the child’s disability occurred before age 46 (this is not necessarily the date of diagnosis)
AND - One of the following is true:
- The individual currently receives Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- The individual currently receives, or is eligible to receive, Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- The individual has a condition listed on the Social Security Compassionate Allowances list, and can certify that the condition caused severe functional limitations prior to age 46
- The individual can confirm that they are blind, or they have a medically determinable physical or mental disability that:
- causes severe functional limitations,
- can be expected to result in death;
- has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 months. In this case, the individual has a written diagnosis from a physician.
To see if your family is eligible, complete the Eligibility Quiz on the IL ABLE website.
Where can I open an IL ABLE Account?
IL ABLE Accounts can be opened online at illinoisable.com or by sending in a paper enrollment form. IL ABLE Accounts are not available at banks, are not sold by financial advisors, and cannot be opened at any physical location or bank.
Resources
Additional resources and information on IL ABLE accounts can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page on the IL ABLE website.
For questions regarding the IL ABLE program, contact:
- Phone: 1-888-609-8683
(Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm CT)
Support is provided for non-English speakers as well as deaf and hard-of-hearing callers. - Email: il.clientservice@savewithable.com
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