Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2009: 
Supporting Financial Independence for Persons with Disabilities

Help support this important legislative change, during the remaining window of opportunity with the 111^th Congress!

The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2009 (also known as the ABLE Act of 2009) is proposed bipartisan legislation in the 111th Congress (S. 493/H.R. 1205).  If enacted, the ABLE Act would authorize the creation of tax preferred accounts to benefit people with disabilities.  The ABLE Act will enable families and individuals to provide funds for building resources for certain expenses of a beneficiary with disabilities, such as education, housing, transportation, employment support, medical care, life necessities, assistive technology and personal support services, and other government-approved expenses.

Policy Details: 
Federal and state governments provide incentives and subsidies through the tax system for certain types of savings and wealth-building.  The federal government invests more than $367 billion a year to subsidize savings for retirement, homeownership and college education.  Savings products such as IRA, 401(k), and 529 plans provide tax benefits for targeted investments. No tax-benefited account option is currently available for families to save for the needs of a person with disabilities.  In fact, families who receive SSI are discouraged from saving for the needs of a person with disabilities as savings can jeopardize the SSI funds that support the person with a disability.

The ABLE Act would establish this account option by amending the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.  Individuals eligible to benefit from such an account are persons who would either:

• Be eligible for or be receiving benefits as a result of a disability or blindness from the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
• Would be eligible to receive SSI or SSDI benefits under these programs' definition of disability or blindness if the programs' income, assets, and substantial gainful activity eligibility tests were disregarded.

Accounts opened under this Act are meant to supplement, not supplant, benefits from private insurance and means-tested public benefit programs such as the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or Medicaid.  Savings within the account and distributions from the account would be disregarded in determining eligibility for federally means-tested programs if funds are spent for qualified expenses. Qualified expenses cover a broad range of needs and are flexible enough to be adapted to a beneficiary's unique needs. Qualified expenses include:

• Education, including tuition, materials, books, special services, tutors, and other related expenses
• Housing, including mortgage or rent payments, maintenance costs, utility payments, property taxes and home modification
• Transportation, including vehicle purchase or modification, use of the public transportation system, and moving expenses
• Employment support necessary to obtain and maintain employment
• Medical care, including insurance and out-of-pocket expenses, rehabilitation services, equipment, therapy, long term services, and other related expenses
• Life necessities, including clothing, religious/cultural/recreational activities, community based supports, and personal care needs
• Assistive technology and personal support services

Up to $2,000 in contributions to an account would be tax deductible per beneficiary per year.  The deduction begins phasing out when modified adjusted gross income reaches $60,000 for couples filing jointly, $45,000 for heads of household, and $30,000 for all other tax filers. The deduction is fully phased out when modified adjusted gross income reaches $70,000 for a couple filing jointly, $52,500 for heads of household, and $35,000 for all other tax filers. Lifetime contributions to an account are capped at $500,000. Lifetime contribution limits and deduction phase out amounts would be adjusted for inflation.  

SSI beneficiaries with disabilities or blindness would experience a significant change in asset test criteria as a result of the ABLE Act. Currently, individual SSI beneficiaries are limited to $2,000 in assets and couples are limited to $3,000. SSI recipients' only option to accumulate modest funds is to formulate a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) or enroll in a federally funded Individual Development Account (IDA). However, neither PASS nor IDAs are widely available, and both strongly limit the types of goals for which accountholders are allowed to save. A PASS allows a beneficiary to save for a time-limited, work-related goal. Funds in IDAs are generally limited to homeownership, education, or entrepreneurship. If enacted, the Act would enable people with disabilities and their families to put aside resources for additional goals that would improve a beneficiary's quality of life in the future.

Currently the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2009 (S 493/HR 1205) is supported by over 40 national disability organizations and has been introduced in both the Senate and House. The ABLE Act will give individuals with disabilities and their families the ability to save for their child's future just like every other American family and help people with disabilities live full, productive lives in their communities. Asset development is one step toward improving economic self-sufficiency, and the legislation's focus on encouraging asset development will greatly incentivize people with disabilities to live more productive lives through earning and saving resources for their future.

Help support this important legislation: ASK YOUR MEMBER TO SIGN ONTO THE ABLE ACT OF 2009

ACTION REQUIRED: 
If your Representative and/or Senators are not already a cosponsor of S. 493/H.R. 1205, please call them to cosponsor this important legislation (a list of Members who have already signed on to the bill is included below). 

Talking Points to Call Your Senators and Representative:

• I am calling to ask my [Senator/Representative] to cosponsor the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) of 2009 (S 493/HR 1205) led by Senators Casey (D-PA), Hatch (R-UT), Dodd (D-CT), Brownback (R-KS), and Burr (R-NC) and Representatives Crenshaw (R-FL), Meek (D-FL), Kennedy (D-RI), and McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).
• The legislation encourages persons with disabilities to save in order to live an independent and meaningful life while reducing their dependency on public benefits.
• This legislation allows for the establishment of tax-exempt financial security accounts for individuals with disabilities to pay certain expenses, including: medical and dental care, education, community based supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing, and transportation.

If your boss is interested in signing on as a cosponsor, please contact:

• Will Hansen (202-224-6324) in Senator Robert Casey's office
• Dustin Krasny (202-225-2501) in Representative Ander Crenshaw's office

We urge you to send a letter of support to Senators and Representatives Robert Casey, Orrin Hatch, Christopher Dodd, Ander Crenshaw, and Kendrick Meek.

We also urge you to send a letter requesting an ABLE hearing directed to Sander Levin, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, and David Camp, Ranking Member. 

Legislative Language:
May 2009: the Senate and House versions of the bill are identical.  S. 493 was introduced by Sen. Casey, Sen. Hatch, Sen. Dodd, Sen. Burr, and Sen. Brownback and has gained a total of ten co-sponsors.  H.R. 1205 was introduced by Rep. Crenshaw, Rep. Meek, Rep. McMorris Rodgers, and Rep. Kennedy and has gained more than 100 co-sponsors. The Senate Finance Committee and the Committees on Ways and Means and the Committee on Energy and Commerce in the House of Representatives have jurisdiction.

House ABLE Act of 2009 (HR1205) Cosponsors

Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] - 6/12/2009 
Rep Akin, W. Todd [MO-2] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] - 3/17/2009 
Rep Arcuri, Michael A. [NY-24] - 7/13/2010 
Rep Bachmann, Michele [MN-6] - 4/22/2010 
Rep Bachus, Spencer [AL-6] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] - 5/7/2009 
Rep Barrett, J. Gresham [SC-3] - 5/13/2010 
Rep Barrow, John [GA-12] - 4/21/2009 
Rep Bean, Melissa L. [IL-8] - 3/18/2009 
Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] - 3/12/2009 
Rep Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [GA-2] - 5/7/2009 
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] - 5/13/2009 
Rep Blackburn, Marsha [TN-7] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Blunt, Roy [MO-7] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Boccieri, John A. [OH-16] - 5/21/2009 
Rep Bonner, Jo [AL-1] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Bono Mack, Mary [CA-45] - 6/19/2009 
Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] - 3/30/2009 
Rep Bordallo, Madeleine Z. [GU] - 3/12/2009 
Rep Boucher, Rick [VA-9] - 1/27/2010 
Rep Brady, Kevin [TX-8] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Braley, Bruce L. [IA-1] - 7/8/2009 
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] - 3/12/2009 
Rep Brown-Waite, Ginny [FL-5] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Burton, Dan [IN-5] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Calvert, Ken [CA-44] - 4/21/2009 
Rep Campbell, John [CA-48] - 4/2/2009 
Rep Cantor, Eric [VA-7] - 4/2/2009 
Rep Cao, Anh "Joseph" [LA-2] - 7/8/2009 
Rep Capito, Shelley Moore [WV-2] - 3/25/2010 
Rep Carnahan, Russ [MO-3] - 5/13/2009 
Rep Carson, Andre [IN-7] - 3/18/2009 
Rep Cassidy, Bill [LA-6] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Chaffetz, Jason [UT-3] - 4/21/2009 
Rep Chandler, Ben [KY-6] - 4/15/2010 
Rep Childers, Travis [MS-1] - 5/21/2009 
Rep Cleaver, Emanuel [MO-5] - 6/19/2009 
Rep Cohen, Steve [TN-9] - 3/17/2009 
Rep Cole, Tom [OK-4] - 3/19/2010 
Rep Connolly, Gerald E. "Gerry" [VA-11] - 7/31/2009 
Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] - 5/4/2009 
Rep Culberson, John Abney [TX-7] - 6/12/2009 
Rep Davis, Geoff [KY-4] - 3/30/2009 
Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] - 6/10/2010 
Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] - 4/21/2009 
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] - 3/2/2010 
Rep Deutch, Theodore E. [FL-19] - 6/24/2010 
Rep Diaz-Balart, Lincoln [FL-21] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Diaz-Balart, Mario [FL-25] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Donnelly, Joe [IN-2] - 10/6/2009 
Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] - 4/27/2009 
Rep Dreier, David [CA-26] - 3/17/2009 
Rep Driehaus, Steve [OH-1] - 4/30/2009 
Rep Ehlers, Vernon J. [MI-3] - 3/17/2009 
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] - 9/10/2009 
Rep Ellsworth, Brad [IN-8] - 3/18/2009 
Rep Emerson, Jo Ann [MO-8] - 7/13/2010 
Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] - 5/5/2010 
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] - 3/24/2009 
Rep Fleming, John [LA-4] - 7/8/2009 
Rep Fortenberry, Jeff [NE-1] - 11/19/2009 
Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] - 3/18/2009 
Rep Fudge, Marcia L. [OH-11] - 4/30/2009 
Rep Gerlach, Jim [PA-6] - 4/30/2009 
Rep Gonzalez, Charles A. [TX-20] - 7/30/2010 
Rep Goodlatte, Bob [VA-6] - 7/17/2009 
Rep Gordon, Bart [TN-6] - 3/24/2009 
Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] - 6/12/2009 
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] - 3/2/2010 
Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] - 3/10/2009 
Rep Harper, Gregg [MS-3] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] - 5/26/2010 
Rep Heller, Dean [NV-2] - 3/24/2009 
Rep Herger, Wally [CA-2] - 6/26/2009 
Rep Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie [SD] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Himes, James A. [CT-4] - 1/27/2010 
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] - 5/21/2009 
Rep Hoekstra, Peter [MI-2] - 5/5/2010 
Rep Holden, Tim [PA-17] - 3/24/2009 
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] - 3/10/2009 
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] - 6/12/2009 
Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] - 7/8/2009 
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 7/30/2010 
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] - 2/26/2009 
Rep Kildee, Dale E. [MI-5] - 5/4/2009 
Rep King, Peter T. [NY-3] - 4/2/2009 
Rep Kirk, Mark Steven [IL-10] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Klein, Ron [FL-22] - 3/2/2010 
Rep Kline, John [MN-2] - 5/13/2009 
Rep Kosmas, Suzanne M. [FL-24] - 6/19/2009 
Rep Lamborn, Doug [CO-5] - 5/13/2009 
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] - 4/21/2009 
Rep Larsen, Rick [WA-2] - 5/13/2010 
Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] - 9/16/2010 
Rep Latham, Tom [IA-4] - 5/4/2009 
Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] - 5/13/2009 
Rep Loebsack, David [IA-2] - 7/30/2010 
Rep Lofgren, Zoe [CA-16] - 5/4/2009 
Rep Lucas, Frank D. [OK-3] - 4/15/2010 
Rep Luetkemeyer, Blaine [MO-9] - 4/27/2009 
Rep Lynch, Stephen F. [MA-9] - 6/12/2009 
Rep Mack, Connie [FL-14] - 3/18/2009 
Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] - 7/27/2010 
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] - 4/22/2010 
Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] - 3/24/2009 
Rep Massa, Eric J. J. [NY-29] - 5/4/2009 
Rep Matsui, Doris O. [CA-5] - 4/27/2009 
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] - 4/30/2009 
Rep McCarthy, Kevin [CA-22] - 7/17/2009 
Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 5/21/2009 
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] - 7/13/2010 
Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] - 4/22/2010 
Rep McHugh, John M. [NY-23] - 5/4/2009 
Rep McIntyre, Mike [NC-7] - 4/21/2009 
Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [WA-5] - 2/26/2009 
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] - 2/26/2009 
Rep Meeks, Gregory W. [NY-6] - 11/6/2009 
Rep Melancon, Charlie [LA-3] - 3/9/2010 
Rep Mica, John L. [FL-7] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] - 3/9/2010 
Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] - 7/1/2010 
Rep Miller, Jeff [FL-1] - 9/29/2009 
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] - 4/15/2010 
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Murphy, Christopher S. [CT-5] - 9/16/2010 
Rep Murphy, Scott [NY-20] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Murphy, Tim [PA-18] - 6/26/2009 
Rep Myrick, Sue Wilkins [NC-9] - 4/30/2009 
Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] - 7/8/2009 
Rep Neugebauer, Randy [TX-19] - 4/2/2009 
Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] - 3/10/2009 
Rep Nunes, Devin [CA-21] - 4/2/2009 
Rep Nye, Glenn C. [VA-2] - 6/10/2010 
Rep Olson, Pete [TX-22] - 3/30/2009 
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] - 3/9/2010 
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Paulsen, Erik [MN-3] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] - 7/8/2009 
Rep Pence, Mike [IN-6] - 3/24/2009 
Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] - 4/30/2009 
Rep Pingree, Chellie [ME-1] - 7/30/2010 
Rep Platts, Todd Russell [PA-19] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Poe, Ted [TX-2] - 5/5/2010 
Rep Posey, Bill [FL-15] - 4/30/2009 
Rep Price, David E. [NC-4] - 7/31/2009 
Rep Putnam, Adam H. [FL-12] - 7/27/2010 
Rep Reichert, David G. [WA-8] - 7/31/2009 
Rep Richardson, Laura [CA-37] - 3/25/2010 
Rep Roe, David P. [TN-1] - 4/2/2009 
Rep Rogers, Harold [KY-5] - 12/16/2009 
Rep Rogers, Mike D. [AL-3] - 12/8/2009 
Rep Rooney, Thomas J. [FL-16] - 4/2/2009 
Rep Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [FL-18] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Roskam, Peter J. [IL-6] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Ross, Mike [AR-4] - 9/16/2010 
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] - 3/10/2009 
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Ryan, Tim [OH-17] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Sablan, Gregorio [MP] - 4/30/2009 
Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] - 7/27/2010 
Rep Schauer, Mark H. [MI-7] - 6/26/2009 
Rep Schmidt, Jean [OH-2] - 3/30/2009 
Rep Schock, Aaron [IL-18] - 5/7/2009 
Rep Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [VA-3] - 3/9/2010 
Rep Sessions, Pete [TX-32] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Sestak, Joe [PA-7] - 5/4/2009 
Rep Shimkus, John [IL-19] - 4/22/2010 
Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] - 6/26/2009 
Rep Smith, Christopher H. [NJ-4] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Souder, Mark E. [IN-3] - 5/13/2009 
Rep Speier, Jackie [CA-12] - 7/13/2010 
Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] - 12/8/2009 
Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] - 3/10/2009 
Rep Terry, Lee [NE-2] - 4/21/2009 
Rep Thompson, Glenn [PA-5] - 4/27/2009 
Rep Thompson, Mike [CA-1] - 3/17/2009 
Rep Tiberi, Patrick J. [OH-12] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Titus, Dina [NV-3] - 7/13/2010 
Rep Tonko, Paul D. [NY-21] - 6/12/2009 
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] - 11/6/2009 
Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] - 7/17/2009 
Rep Turner, Michael R. [OH-3] - 7/8/2009 
Rep Upton, Fred [MI-6] - 12/11/2009 
Rep Van Hollen, Chris [MD-8] - 3/9/2010 
Rep Visclosky, Peter J. [IN-1] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Walz, Timothy J. [MN-1] - 7/30/2010 
Rep Wamp, Zach [TN-3] - 12/16/2009 
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] - 4/30/2009 
Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] - 4/21/2009 
Rep Wilson, Joe [SC-2] - 5/4/2009 
Rep Wittman, Robert J. [VA-1] - 3/4/2010 
Rep Wolf, Frank R. [VA-10] - 3/3/2009 
Rep Wu, David [OR-1] - 5/26/2010 
Rep Yarmuth, John A. [KY-3] - 12/11/2009 
Rep Young, C.W. Bill [FL-10] - 3/6/2009 
Rep Young, Don [AK] - 5/4/2009

Senate ABLE Act of 2009 (S493) Cosponsors
Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] - 4/21/2010 
Sen Brownback, Sam [KS] - 2/26/2009 
Sen Burr, Richard [NC] - 2/26/2009 
Sen Cochran, Thad [MS] - 5/26/2010 
Sen Collins, Susan M. [ME] - 2/26/2010 
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] - 2/26/2009 
Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] - 3/15/2010 
Sen Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [NY] - 7/30/2009 
Sen Hatch, Orrin G. [UT] - 2/26/2009 
Sen Isakson, Johnny [GA] - 3/16/2010 
Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] - 2/26/2009 
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] - 7/13/2010 
Sen Klobuchar, Amy [MN] - 4/21/2010 
Sen Landrieu, Mary L. [LA] - 2/24/2010 
Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] - 4/22/2009 
Sen LeMieux, George S. [FL] - 2/24/2010 
Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] - 4/30/2010 
Sen Mikulski, Barbara A. [MD] - 5/26/2010 
Sen Risch, James E. [ID] - 4/30/2009 
Sen Specter, Arlen [PA] - 3/25/2009 
Sen Stabenow, Debbie [MI] - 7/22/2010 
Sen Tester, Jon [MT] - 9/15/2010 
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] - 10/1/2009 
Sen Wicker, Roger F. [MS] - 3/19/2009