Expanding Financial Literacy and Empowerment: Increasing Awareness and Use of ABLE Accounts for Americans with Disabilities

The "Expanding Financial Literacy and Empowerment: Increasing Awareness and Use of ABLE Accounts for Americans with Disabilities" grant opportunity is a forecasted federal initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Administration for Community Living (ACL). This funding initiative falls under the umbrella of the Developmental Disabilities Projects of National Significance, as authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (commonly known as the DD Act of 2000). The overarching goal of the program is to improve the financial literacy, independence, and long-term economic stability of individuals with disabilities by increasing awareness and utilization of ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts. ABLE accounts were established by the ABLE Act of 2015 to provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to save and invest funds without compromising their eligibility for means-tested federal benefits like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). These tax-advantaged accounts can be used for a broad range of qualified disability-related expenses including education, housing, employment training, transportation, health care, and assistive technologies. A significant regulatory change effective January 2026 expands ABLE eligibility to individuals with an age of disability onset up to 46 years, up from the previous cap of 26. This broadening of eligibility substantially increases the potential beneficiary pool to around 14 million people, including 1.2 million veterans, thereby amplifying the importance of strategic outreach and education efforts. The grant supports activities at the national, state, and community levels designed to enhance awareness and use of ABLE accounts. Proposed initiatives may include coordinated marketing strategies, population-specific outreach, and partnerships with existing ACL grantees and other stakeholders. The grant will also promote systemic improvements in ABLE account accessibility and usability, especially at the state level, through enhanced collaboration with public agencies, financial institutions, and community-based organizations. In doing so, the program aims to address barriers preventing individuals with disabilities from accessing and utilizing ABLE accounts to their full potential. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and nonprofit entities such as state governments, county and city governments, independent school districts, tribal organizations (both federally recognized and other tribal entities), housing authorities, and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status. Entities must comply with the requirements of Section 162 of the DD Act, which specifies that only public or private nonprofit organizations are eligible to conduct projects of national significance related to individuals with developmental disabilities. Foreign entities are not eligible to apply or receive awards under this announcement. This opportunity does not require a cost-sharing or matching contribution, making it more accessible to smaller or under-resourced organizations. The total estimated program funding is $1.5 million, with a minimum award floor of $1 million and a maximum ceiling of $1.5 million. Only one award is expected to be made under this competition. The estimated timeline for this grant includes a posting date of April 22, 2026, an application due date of June 22, 2026, and an estimated project start date of September 1, 2026, with awards expected to be announced by August 28, 2026. Interested applicants should monitor the official ACL grants page for updates, including the publication of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Questions may be directed to David Jones at 202-795-7367. The grant is considered forecasted at this time, and no pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers are specified in the current documentation.