Carla Vassilos is a busy wife and mom of twin boys. She is also an IL ABLE Account Owner thanks to the recent expansion in the ABLE age eligibility criteria, making ABLE accounts available to people whose disabilities began before age 46 (up from before age 26). accessABLE News & Updates editors connected with Carla to learn how her IL ABLE Account helps her put money aside for her disability expenses.
IL ABLE: How did you learn about ABLE Age Adjustment and realize that you would be eligible come January 1, 2026, to open an IL ABLE Account?
Carla: My mother-in-law found and shared the Wall Street Journal newspaper article in December 2025.
IL ABLE: Would you like to share more about how you became disabled as an adult?
Carla: I am disabled following the pregnancy and birth of my twin sons in 2019. I actually share this quite openly as I think it’s important for people to have a better understanding of how complicated and serious women’s health is. I live with several chronic conditions including autoimmune-induced small fiber neuropathy, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD). I live with chronic pain throughout my body as well as nerve-damage pain in my hands and feet. I struggle daily with extreme fatigue; every day it is difficult to get out of bed and make it through a whole day without a nap. I manage constant dizziness as well as a host of other symptoms.
IL ABLE: How do you think an IL ABLE Account can complement other financial tools in the financial planning toolbox, such as federal and VA benefits, retirement plans, health savings accounts, etc…
Carla: I am very fortunate that I decided around age 30 (2013) to add long-term disability insurance to my financial toolkit. The cost was about $30/month, so it was an investment. Although I became disabled in early 2019, it took me several years to apply for benefits as I wasn’t ready to think of myself as “disabled”. With lots of encouragement from family and friends, I started the process and was pleasantly surprised by how smooth it was. With private disability insurance (versus Social Security disability), you only have to prove that you cannot function in your last position; versus Social Security, you have to prove you cannot do any job.
I also utilize a health savings account (HSA) that I contributed to for years before I stopped working in 2019.
As was discussed during the Treasurer’s press conference, living with disabilities is VERY expensive. Struggling with chronic and complex conditions means working with many different doctors and specialties. To receive the care I really need, I have even begun seeing providers who do not accept insurance.
IL ABLE: How do you use or plan to use your IL ABLE Account?
Carla: I plan on contributing enough to take advantage of the IL state tax benefit. I will use the IL ABLE account to pay for health insurance deductibles, co-pays, and other out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
IL ABLE: Could you share your thoughts on the importance of an IL ABLE account for people whose disability started after age 26?
Carla: What a wonderful and critically important change! None of us know what life will throw at us, and health challenges can come at any age. One of my first thoughts when I heard the change in age (to onset before age) 46 was that this would cover most, if not all, women with pregnancy/birth related disabilities.
IL ABLE: Any final thoughts you would like to share?
Carla: Thank you for all the work the IL Treasurer’s office has done to make this change a reality and to communicate the news. As many people know, the idea that America has a “social safety net” is unfortunately false. This is one big step in a positive direction for all Americans.
Visit IL ABLE to learn more, open an Account, and read the Plan Disclosure Booklet.