Signs law that fixes catch-22' for people with disabilities who have jobs, savings

MIAMI GARDENS | Marian Center clients and staff welcomed a very special guest this week: Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

The governor stopped by for about an hour July 13 to ceremonially sign into law the ABLE Act, which stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience for people with disabilities. Joining the governor at the event were representatives of Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities and of community organizations that serve them throughout the state.

Taking its cue from a similarly named federal law passed in 2014, the ABLE Act allows Floridians with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy to create tax-free savings accounts to cover housing, education, medical, job training and transportation expenses. The money in these accounts will not disqualify them from receiving other government benefits.

“The Church supported this bill,” said Archbishop Thomas Wenski, who attended the ceremony at the Marian Center. He said without the ABLE Act people with disabilities were in a “kind of catch-22” if they obtained a job.

“You don’t want to punish them” for being employed or saving money, the archbishop said.