Rep. Derek Schmidt Joins Bipartisan Effort to Expand ABLE Savings for Americans with Disabilities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) today announced he has joined Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) as a co-lead of the bipartisan ABLE MATCH (Making Able a Tool to Combat Hardship) Act, legislation to help more Americans with disabilities build financial security through Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) savings accounts.

The legislation would establish a federal matching contribution for eligible low- and moderate-income individuals who save in ABLE accounts, allowing beneficiaries to receive up to a 100 percent federal match on the first $2,000 they contribute annually, subject to income limits. The federal matching funds would be deposited directly into the beneficiary's ABLE account, helping individuals save for disability-related expenses without jeopardizing eligibility for critical benefits.

"ABLE accounts have provided many individuals with disabilities and their families an important tool to save for the future, but too many people still struggle to set aside money because of financial pressures," Congressman Schmidt said. "This bipartisan legislation helps make those savings go further by strengthening and expanding this successful program. Every Kansan deserves the opportunity to build greater financial security."

"Financial independence shouldn't be out of reach for individuals with disabilities," Rep. Dingell said. "By reintroducing the ABLE MATCH Act, we are taking a crucial step toward economic security by matching the hard-earned savings of ABLE account beneficiaries through a refundable tax credit."

"I want to thank Congressman Derek Schmidt and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell for their bipartisan leadership in championing the ABLE MATCH Act," said Sara Hart Weir, Executive Director for Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (KCDD). Kansas has shown that when states make a meaningful investment in ABLE outreach and partner across agencies, families respond. Through our statewide collaboration with the Kansas State Treasurer's Office, we've demonstrated that connecting people to ABLE accounts early and intentionally can transform lives. The ABLE MATCH Act will build on that success by ensuring that low- and moderate-income Kansans with disabilities don't just have access to an ABLE account-they have the financial incentive to start saving and building long-term independence. This legislation has the potential to dramatically scale ABLE participation in Kansas and across the nation."

"Beginning in 2027, the federal government will offer a powerful savings incentive designed to help millions of hard-working Americans save for retirement," Kansas State Treasurer Steven Johnson said. "For disabled Americans who rely on an ABLE account for building wealth, the incentive funds offered by the Saver's Match cannot be deposited into an ABLE account. As administrator of the Kansas ABLE Savings Plan, I applaud Congressman Schmidt and Congresswoman Dingell for working to address this savings disparity and giving ABLE account owners access to a powerful wealth-building incentive."

ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals with disabilities to save money in tax-advantaged accounts to pay for qualified disability-related expenses without losing eligibility for programs such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid.

More than 223,000 ABLE accounts were open nationwide as of September 2025, with an average account balance of approximately $12,863. People with disabilities continue to experience significantly higher rates of poverty and often face substantially higher costs of daily living.

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced the Senate version of the bill.

The ABLE MATCH Act would apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026. It has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.