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Congressman Paulsen Votes to Help Individuals with Disabilities Pay for Expenses

Washington, D.C.– Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) voted in favor of the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) Act to help more individuals with disabilities work, save, and live independently without losing access to other benefits by being able to establish tax-free savings accounts. The ABLE Act was one of the first pieces of legislation Congressman Paulsen cosponsored after being elected to Congress in 2009. The bill, H.R. 647, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a broad bipartisan vote of 404-17.

“Raising a child with a disability can be emotionally and financially draining,” said Paulsen. “While individuals with disabilities are living longer and more productive lives than ever before, they still face barriers to finding and holding employment, living independently, and taking care of their daily needs. The ABLE Act makes it easier for these families to bear this financial burden.”  

The accounts are modeled after the popular 529 savings plan that are used to save money for college. Withdrawals from the account would be for qualified long-term disability expenses such as health, education, housing, and transportation. Currently, families of a child with disabilities can lose government benefits needed to pay for costs associated with raising a disabled child if their savings exceed a specific amount. By establishing these investment accounts, they will be better able to supplement these benefits and save for future costs.

Paulsen, a champion of small business and advocate of free enterprise, entrepreneurship, and innovation, serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, and is co-chair of the Congressional Medical Technology Caucus.

For more information on Congressman Paulsen’s work in Congress visit paulsen.house.gov

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