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
- Can I transfer an existing ABLE account into my Maryland ABLE account?
- Yes, but you can make only one rollover every 12 months. You can use an ABLE to ABLE Rollover Form to get started. There are also rollover options which would also change the beneficiary to an eligible family member if the rollover happens before the death of the original beneficiary who opened the... Read more
- Does the Medicaid recapture of funds in an ABLE account as described in the Federal ABLE ACT known as “clawback” apply to Maryland ABLE accounts?
- As established by the Federal ABLE Act, funds remaining in the account upon the beneficiary’s death may be used to reimburse the state for Medicaid-related services. The amount of any Medicaid payback is calculated based on amounts paid by Medicaid after the creation of the ABLE Account and... Read more
- What’s the difference between an ABLE account and a Special Needs Trust?
- Although both can be established to enable a person with a disability to acquire assets without jeopardizing benefits, it’s important to know that an ABLE account allows the person with the disability to open and manage the account on his/her own. The ABLE account must be used for any qualifying... Read more
- Is the ABLE account considered part of the estate after the death of a beneficiary?
- Yes. As part of the estate, funds in the ABLE account are subject to federal estate tax. After the death of the beneficiary, the remaining funds will be taxed and can be used to pay any outstanding qualified disability expenses of the decedent and any State claim under section 529A(f) before they... Read more
- What is a successor designated beneficiary?
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A successor for an ABLE account must be a sibling, step-sibling, or half-sibling of the Account Owner and must also qualify for an ABLE account. A successor must be added to the account before the death of the beneficiary.
