Rep. Case praises ABLE bill

HARTFORD – Rep. Jay Case today supported a bill requiring the Connecticut State Treasurer to establish the Achieving A Better Life Experience (ABLE) program, which encourages and aids individuals and families to save funds to pay for expenses caused by disability and blindness.

The bill, which passed the House unanimously, exempts money in the trust and interest earnings from state and local taxation, and requires the treasurer to ensure that funds are kept exempt from federal taxation. ABLE funds must be disregarded when determining eligibility for federal assistance.

ABLE accounts are available to individuals who have become disabled before age 26 and receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or SSI. ABLE account funds can be used to pay for education, health care, and other expenses.

“We want to make our state a better place to live and we want to make sure individuals are able to overcome financial challenges when they cannot provide for themselves,” Rep. Case said. “Human services have always been close to my heart. This legislation helps those who sometimes are unable to help themselves, and does it responsibly.”

ABLE accounts do not replace other planning tools such as special needs trusts, but serve as an additional tool to address financial challenges of individuals with disabilities.

The Federal ABLE Act, signed into law, Dec. 2014, allows people with disabilities to open accounts where they can save funds without risking eligibility for government programs like Social Security. Although the Federal law went into effect months ago, states must impose their own regulations to establish ABLE programs.

In February, representatives from the Department of Developmental Services, The Arc, The National Down Syndrome Society and The Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities supported this measure during a public hearing.