Who Can Open an IL ABLE Account

Determining who may open and manage an IL ABLE Account for an Eligible Individual is a very important step in preparing to open the Account. Please read the Plan Disclosure Booklet for complete details about who can open the Account and in what order of priority. Below are short descriptions of those who can open and manage an IL ABLE Account:

  • An eligible adult who has Legal Capacity can open and manage the Account.
  • A person, or authorized representative of an organization or entity, that has authority to open the Account for an eligible minor can serve as an Authorized Individual on the Account.
  • A person or an organization or entity, that has authority granted by an eligible adult who has Legal Capacity can serve as an Authorized Individual on the Account. In this case, the Authorized Individual shares control of the Account equally with the Account Owner. The Authorized Individual must be granted power of attorney by the Eligible Individual.
  • A person or an organization or entity that has authority to open the Account for an eligible adult who does not have Legal Capacity can serve as an Authorized Individual.

What is an Authorized Individual?

An Authorized Individual is a person or entity that has authority to open and manage the Account on behalf of an Account Owner. Even if there is an Authorized Individual on the Account, the beneficiary is always the Account Owner. Authorized Individuals may not benefit from the Account – they must manage the Account exclusively for the benefit of the Account Owner. There can be more than one Authorized Individual.

The following is a list, in order of priority, of those who may serve as Authorized Individual. They must be able to certify that there is no other person or entity with a higher priority on the list that is willing and able to open and manage an IL ABLE Account for the Account Owner. Please read the Plan Disclosure Booklet for more information.

  • 1. Authorized Agent under Power of Attorney (person or entity)
  • 2. Legal Guardian (person or entity)
  • 3. Spouse
  • 4. Parent
  • 5. Sibling
  • 6. Grandparent
  • 7. Representative payee appointed by the Social Security Administration (person or entity)

  • Your Social Security number or taxpayer identification number
  • Your driver's license, state-issued ID, military ID, or other identification number
  • Your date of birth
  • Permanent U.S. street address (cannot be a P.O. Box)
  • Email address to be used for Account communications
  • Checking or savings account number and bank routing number (to contribute electronically by EFT or recurring contribution)
Enroll online or submit a completed Enrollment Form

  • Social Security number or taxpayer identification number for Account Owner and Authorized Individual
  • Driver's license, state-issued ID, military ID, or other identification number for Account Owner and Authorized Individual
  • Date of birth for Account Owner and Authorized Individual
  • Permanent U.S. street address for Account Owner and Authorized Individual
  • Email address to be used for Account communications
  • Checking or savings account number and bank routing number (to contribute electronically by EFT or recurring contribution)
If you are the Authorized Individual for an Eligible Individual who is an adult with Legal Capacity, you will need to submit a notarized Power of Attorney form.

Enroll online or submit a completed Enrollment Form

  • Social Security number or taxpayer identification number for Account Owner and Authorized Individual
  • Driver's license, state-issued ID, military ID, or other identification number for Account Owner and Authorized Individual
  • Date of birth for Account Owner
  • Permanent U.S. street address for Account Owner
  • Organization's/entity's street and mailing address
  • Organization's/entity's taxpayer identification number (TIN)
  • Organization's/entity's phone number
  • Organization/entity email address to be used for Account communications (Cannot be an email address for an individual employee)
  • Checking or savings account number and bank routing number (to contribute electronically by EFT or recurring contribution)
If the organization is acting as the Authorized Individual for an Eligible Individual who is an adult with Legal Capacity, you will need to submit a notarized Power of Attorney form. Additional documentation may be required.

Enroll online or submit a completed Enrollment Form

Read the Plan Disclosure Booklet.