People without disability-based Social Security benefits can still open a tax-advantaged ABLE (529A) account by filing a disability certification under their state ABLE program's rules. IRS Publication 907 requires that certification to include a diagnosis of the relevant impairment signed by a physician, provided as a letter or on the program's own form.
A physician, as defined in section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act, signs the diagnosis of the relevant impairment. The account owner self-certifies to the state ABLE program that the functional limitation or blindness criteria are met.
The issuer sets what the letter or report must contain; check its current rules before you write it.
ABLE account disability certification (physician-signed diagnosis)
There is no form to fill: the program asks for a letter or report with the content it sets. Vero Scribe writes the visit note it draws on, so the details are ready when you write it.
A form is listed only after its name and number were confirmed on the issuing agency’s or insurer’s own website, or in the form itself. Each entry links to that source. The list was last checked in October 2026. Forms and their requirements change without notice, so check the official page for the current version before you complete one.
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The account owner makes the certification, but it must include a diagnosis of the relevant impairment signed by a physician as defined in section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act. The state ABLE program's rules govern how that signed diagnosis is kept.
A medically determinable physical or mental impairment causing marked and severe functional limitations, expected to result in death or lasting or expected to last at least 12 continuous months, or blindness within the meaning of section 1614(a)(2) of the Social Security Act, with onset before the age limit.
Publication 907 (2025) says the blindness or disability must have occurred before age 26. Under the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, the onset age limit rises to 46 beginning in 2026, which widens who can rely on a physician-signed diagnosis.