In celebration of August 14 as the first National ABLE Savings Day, State Treasurer Steven Johnson is launching an expanded educational campaign to raise awareness and increase access to the Kansas ABLE Savings Plan.

The State Treasurer’s Office, in partnership with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, is working to inform Kansans with disabilities about the Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014. Under this act, eligible individuals can open tax-advantaged savings accounts, with earnings growing tax-deferred and remaining tax-free if used for qualified disability expenses. These funds can cover education, housing, transportation, employment training, health and wellness, and more, without impacting eligibility for federal programs like SSI (up to $100,000) and Medicaid.

“The ABLE savings plan is one of the most impactful programs administered by the State Treasurer’s Office,” said Treasurer Steven Johnson. “The $100 empowerment grant is a great way to jumpstart an ABLE savings account, but it’s the knowledge gained from participating in our ABLE classes that can have a lifelong impact for ABLE account owners.”

Kansans can learn more about the $100 empowerment grant and upcoming Kansas ABLE savings classes by visiting treasurer.ks.gov/education, emailing ABLEgrant@treasurer.ks.gov, or calling 785-296-3171.