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ABLE Act

History

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2013 (S. 313/H.R.647) was introduced in the 113th Congress by a bipartisan, bicameral set of Congressional Champions including Sens. Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), and Reps. Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), and Pete Sessions (R-TX). On December 3, 2014, the ABLE Act passed in the U.S. House of Representatives (404-17). Two weeks later, on December 16, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the ABLE Act as a part of the Tax Extenders package. On Friday, December 19, 2014, the President of the United States signed the Tax Extenders package, making the ABLE Act the law of the land.

The ABLE Act amends Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Service Code of 1986 to create tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities. The bill aims to ease financial strains faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available to cover qualified expenses such as education, housing, and transportation. The bill supplements, but does not supplant, benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the Supplemental Security Income program, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources.

Legislative summary of the ABLE Act of 2014 (H.R. 647)
Web: congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/647/

Resources

ABLE National Resource Center (ANRC)
Founded and managed by National Disability Institute (NDI), the ANRC's goal is to provide consistent, reliable information concerning the benefits of an ABLE account. In addition, the ANRC aims to educate individuals with disabilities and their families, state government and legislatures, financial service companies and financial planners and attorneys - who focus on trust and estate planning - about ABLE’s potential positive impact on the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities.
- Understanding ABLE: What are ABLE Accounts?
- State Review: ABLE programs
Web: ablenrc.org
ABLE Employer Toolkit
Resources for employers to share with employees impacted by the additional and often significant expenses that can be associated with having a disability. The toolkit also helps employers understand and integrate ABLE into employee benefits program to support employee success in work and life. Toolkit items are downloadable and free of charge.
Web: ablenrc.org/employers/employer-toolkit/