Legislation that would let people
with disabilities set up savings accounts to cover future housing,
transportation and other expenses without jeopardizing their eligibility for
Medicaid and Social Security benefits is waiting on action from the U.S. Senate
in the closing days of the 2014 session.
Last week, the U.S. House of
Representatives overwhelmingly approved the Achieving a Better Life Experience
Act or ABLE Act.
Currently, people with disabilities
cannot qualify for Medicaid and Social Security disability benefits if they
have more than $2,000 in assets or earn more than
As proposed in the ABLE Act, the
savings accounts would function much like the 529 college savings accounts that
are already established in many states like West Virginia
By definition, “qualified
disability expenses” would include expenses for education, a primary residence,
transportation, obtaining and maintaining employment, health and wellness, and
other personal support expenses.
The U.S. House approved the ABLE
Act with a 404-17 vote last week. West
Virginia
If the U.S. Senate does not take up the legislation this week,
the bill will have to begin the path to passage again in the new Congress come
January.
