The rotunda at the Idaho State Capitol building in Boise as seen on March 23, 2021. (Otto Kitsinger for Idaho Capital Sun)
This story was first published by Idaho Reports on Feb. 5, 2025.
The Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee moved forward a bill to allow disabled people to establish ABLE accounts.
“ABLE,” an acronym for Achieving a Better Life Experience, allows people with disabilities who collect Social Security Income to save money for future qualifying needs, such as transportation, housing or medical expenses.
Currently, Idahoans are in jeopardy of no longer qualifying for Social Security Income if they have more than $2,000 in their accounts, which discourages them from saving for expenses like car repair, or medical care that isn’t covered by insurance. The money in ABLE accounts doesn’t count against the $2,000. Only people whose disability began before the age of 26 are eligible for ABLE accounts.
Idaho, South Dakota and North Dakota are the only three states in the country that currently do not have ABLE accounts, according to state Treasurer Julie Ellsworth, who sponsored the bill on Wednesday.
Hailey mother Brittany Shipley testified in favor of the bill, saying ABLE accounts could help her children with disabilities live independently one day.
“The current system forces individuals to navigate a paradox,” Shipley said. “If they save or earn too much money, they lose access to critical services like Medicaid or SSI. This means the risk losing critical services they rely on to prevent institutionalization – a choice no one should have to make. This is where ABLE accounts make a profound difference.”
The bill has no additional cost to the state, and will establish an Idaho ABLE Account Advisory Council to advise the Idaho State treasurer and the executive director of the Idaho State Independent Living Council regarding policies and action that enhance the outreach, marketing, and education of the Idaho ABLE Account Program.
The only “no” vote came from Rep. Lucas Cayler, R-Caldwell, who said he voted against it in the spirit of not expanding government.
The bill must now head to the full House of Representatives for a vote.
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