Today, December 5, Representatives Sharice Davids and Brian Fitzpatrick introduced the ABLE Employment Flexibility Act. This bill is designed to help workers with disabilities save money and build financial security without losing important federal benefits. The bill focuses on ABLE accounts, which are special savings accounts for people with disabilities. These accounts let individuals save money without affecting their eligibility for programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The new bill would allow employers to make tax-free contributions to these accounts. This would make it easier for people with disabilities to be hired and kept in jobs, while also helping them save for their future.

Right now, many workers have access to 401(k) matching contributions through their jobs, but workers with disabilities often can’t take advantage of this because of strict asset limits for programs like SSI. Saving too much can disqualify them from benefits. The ABLE Employment Flexibility Act changes that by letting employers contribute to ABLE accounts instead of 401(k)s. This way, workers with disabilities can save without risking their federal benefits.

People with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty, yet need more income to maintain the same standard of living. The ABLE program has already helped over 170,000 people save money, with an average balance of $11,186.

“It makes my heart happy that Rep. Davids is introducing this bill,” said Rachel Mast, Kansan with Down syndrome and disability advocate. “This will help me save more money in my ABLE account for my future, and I won’t lose any of my supports.”