ABLE is now live!

As of October 19, 2021, people eligible for an ABLE account can finally set one up through Bangor Savings Bank. To sign up and for more info, go here: https://www.bangor.com/able-home

The ABLE ME Program (also referred to as “ABLE ME”) is designed to help eligible individuals with disabilities save for certain qualified disability expenses on a tax-advantaged basis without jeopardizing eligibility for federal means-tested benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. The Maine legislature has extended that benefit to State of Maine means-tested benefits.

Who is eligible? A person with a disability is eligible to be a benificiary of an ABLE account if they are eligible to receive benefits based on blindness or disability under Title II or XVI of the Social Security Act, OR attains a Disability Certification meeting specified requirements signed by an authorized medical professional. The onset of the disability must have occurred before the age of 26.

Information about ABLE accounts from the State Treasurer's webpage: https://www.maine.gov/treasurer/ABLE-MAINE

ABLE Accounts

For a good overview of what these accounts are and how they work, go here: https://www.ablenrc.org/what-is-able/what-are-able-acounts/ 

History

MDDC engaged in significant advocacy efforts to bring the ABLE act to the state of Maine, beginning in 2016, advocating for a law that became effective 3/16 (LD 1421), directing the state treasurer to study the most effective options for Maine residents to participate in tax- advantaged savings accounts for persons w/ disabilities, & later participating in a New England meeting with the treasurer & other stakeholders. In Jan 2017 the report was submitted, and the Treasurer began moving forward with a plan to bring ABLE accounts to Maine. In June of 2017 MDDC participated in a workgroup with multiple organizations, educating 5 policymakers and improving the state of Maine’s ABLE Act plan. MDDC’s intent is to utilize this outreach and technical assistance to provide a grant supporting this innovative approach to expanding access to all aspects of community life for individuals with DD & their families.

Read MDDC's testimony on LD 1421