Griffin: Bipartisan Bill Provides "Tailored Savings Instrument' to Benefit Arkansans with Disabilities

Press Release

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement today after the House passed the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 (H.R. 647):

"Arkansans with disabilities face unique challenges and will benefit from this tailored savings instrument. I am proud to cosponsor and support this common sense bill that will help provide a better future and independent living for individuals with disabilities in our communities. I urge the Senate to pass this important legislation."

H.R. 647, which passed the House by a vote of 404--17, is designed to provide individuals and families with the opportunity to save for the purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities in maintaining their health, independence, and quality of life without losing access to Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Starting in 2015, states would have the option to establish an ABLE program, under which eligible individuals with disabilities may establish ABLE accounts, modeled after current Section 529 savings accounts, which could be used to pay for qualified expenses related to the disability, including education, housing and transportation, and health and wellness. To be eligible, individuals must: 1) be severely disabled before turning age 26, based on a marked and severe functional limitation; or 2) receive benefits under the SSI or Disability Insurance (DI) programs.

H.R. 647 has 380 bipartisan cosponsors and has been supported by more than 70 organizations and health care professionals, including the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Autism Society of America, Autism Speaks, the Brain Injury Association of America, Easter Seals, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Disability Institute, National Down Syndrome Society, the National Federation of the Blind, and The ARC.

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