Griffin Supports Bill 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 committee unanimously reported to the full House 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."

H.R. 647 amends Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code to allow the use of tax-free savings accounts for individuals with disabilities to cover qualified expenses related to the individual's disability, such as health, education, housing, transportation, training, assistive technology, personal support, and other related services and expenses. Individuals with ABLE accounts would also maintain eligibility for means-tested benefits programs, such as SSI and Medicaid, allowing the account to supplement, but not supplant, current benefits received.

H.R. 647 has over 370 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.

Source