FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Portland, OR - May 15, 2026 - Oregon's expanded ABLE Savings Plan, which on January 1 raised the disability onset age cap from 26 to 46, has opened tax-advantaged savings to an estimated 100,000 to 150,000 additional Oregonians who can keep federal disability benefits while saving for housing, transportation, and care. The expansion lands in a state where 635,797 residents (15.1% of the population) already live with at least one disability, the 10th highest rate in the country, according to an updated profile from Disability Exchange, an independent benefits research site.

The age change came out of the SECURE 2.0 Act and was approved by the Oregon Treasury for in-state rollout starting this year. Anyone whose qualifying disability began before age 46 can now open an Oregon ABLE account, contribute up to $19,000 a year, and keep up to $100,000 in assets without losing Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid. Working ABLE beneficiaries can save an additional $15,650 through ABLE to Work contributions.

"This is the biggest single change to disability savings in a decade, and most Oregonians who qualify don't even know it happened yet," said the team at Disability Exchange. "If you were diagnosed with a qualifying condition before age 46, you can finally save real money without losing SSI or Medicaid. For a lot of people that's the difference between getting ahead and staying stuck."

Oregon's SSDI numbers tell a mixed story. Initial approvals at the state's Disability Determination Services unit run at 44%, in line with the 38% to 44% national range. Reconsideration approves only 16%. At the hearing stage, an Administrative Law Judge approves 59% of cases. Initial decisions take an average of 284 days, well above the 227-day national average and one of the slower processing windows on the West Coast.

The state has a civilian noninstitutionalized population of 4,196,946 across 36 counties. Ambulatory difficulty is the most common impairment, affecting 6.5% of the population, followed by cognitive difficulty at 272,474 residents (6.8%). Women report a slightly higher disability rate (15.2%) than men (15.1%).

Median household income sits at $80,426, above the national $78,538. The poverty rate is 7.3%, below the 8.7% national average. Unemployment runs 3.3%. The average monthly SSDI benefit in Oregon is roughly $1,580, with a 2026 maximum of about $4,152 for high earners. Oregon does not provide significant state supplementation for SSI recipients, so most get only the federal $994 individual rate or $1,491 couple rate.

"The 284-day initial wait is what catches people off guard in Oregon," said the team at Disability Exchange. "It's almost two months longer than the national average. If you're going to apply, get your medical records ordered before you file. The slowest part of the wait is usually waiting on the doctor."

Oregon claimants typically interact with hearing offices in Portland and Eugene. The SSA's national backlog has dropped 33% from June 2024 through February 2026, and the agency's March 2026 modernization push expanded the Disability Case Processing System and added scheduling improvements at hearing centers across the country. The 2026 substantial gainful activity cap is $1,690 per month for non-blind applicants and $2,830 for blind applicants. The federal attorney fee cap is $9,200 or 25% of past-due benefits, whichever is lower.

Oregon residents researching benefits can review the full state profile at Disability Exchange's Oregon page or use the free 2-minute eligibility tool on the homepage.

The Disability Exchange Oregon profile draws on SSA processing data, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 figures, Oregon Treasury announcements, and SSA's FY2024 Agency Financial Report. The site is privately owned and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration.

About Disability Exchange
Disability Exchange is an independent disability benefits research site providing state-by-state data, application guidance, and free eligibility tools. The site covers all 50 states plus DC and is updated continuously with the latest SSA performance and policy data.

Media Contact
Anthony Albert
Benefits Research Director
Disability Exchange
[email protected]
https://disabilityexchange.org