The Georgia STABLE Account: A Parent's Guide

Georgia STABLE — Georgia's ABLE program, run in partnership with Ohio's STABLE platform — lets families of autistic children build protected savings the SSI resource limit can't touch, with one of the country's best debit-card experiences built in.

Confirm current details at georgiastable.com before enrolling.

Quick facts

• Program: Georgia STABLE, offered by the Georgia Office of the State Treasurer in partnership with Ohio's STABLE program
• 2026 contribution limit: $20,000 per year from all sources combined
• SSI protection: First $100,000 excluded from SSI's resource limit; Georgia Medicaid unaffected at any balance
• Georgia taxes: Ask your tax preparer whether Georgia currently extends a deduction to ABLE contributions — its Path2College 529 deduction is a separate provision
• New in 2026: Eligibility expanded to anyone whose disability began before age 46

How ABLE accounts work

An ABLE account is a federally authorized savings and investment account for people whose disability began early in life. A childhood autism diagnosis meets the age-of-onset requirement; eligibility comes through SSI/SSDI or a physician's disability certification, self-certified at enrollment. Earnings grow tax-free, qualified withdrawals are tax-free, and the balance stays off the books for means-tested benefits. One account per person; anyone can contribute. Full background in our complete ABLE accounts guide.

What you can pay for

Anything supporting health, independence, or quality of life: uncovered therapy costs, AAC devices and assistive technology, education and tutoring, housing and rent, transportation, sensory equipment, personal support services, respite care, and legal or financial fees. The STABLE Visa card — loadable, with customizable spending controls and automatic transaction records — makes everyday spending and documentation easy. Non-qualified withdrawals cost tax plus a 10% penalty on earnings.

Georgia taxes

Georgia's 529 college deduction is its own statute; confirm with your tax preparer whether any state deduction currently applies to Georgia STABLE contributions before counting on one. The reliable benefits are federal: tax-free compounding, tax-free qualified withdrawals, and potential Saver's Credit eligibility for a working adult account owner. As a STABLE partner state, Georgia residents get partner-state pricing on the platform.

How to open an account

1. Enroll online at georgiastable.com — minimum opening deposit around $25
2. Self-certify eligibility (SSI/SSDI or physician certification, onset before age 46)
3. Choose investments — Vanguard-based options plus an FDIC-insured savings option
4. Order the STABLE card and set up automatic contributions

Parents and guardians can open and manage the account for a minor or an adult child who needs support.

Protecting SSI and Medicaid

Up to $100,000 is fully disregarded for SSI; above that, SSI is suspended — not terminated — until the balance falls back below the line. Georgia Medicaid, including waiver services like NOW/COMP, is unaffected at any balance.

FAQ

ABLE account or special needs trust? Usually both — the ABLE account for day-to-day disability spending including housing, a trust for large assets. The trust can distribute into the ABLE account.

Can we roll over a Path2College 529? Yes, 529-to-ABLE rollovers are permanently allowed within the annual limit; ask about deduction recapture first.

General information, not tax or legal advice. Confirm current details at georgiastable.com.

Related guides

• ABLE accounts: the complete guide
• Ohio STABLE account
• Autism rights and advocacy