PRESS RELEASE
Treasurer Fitzpatrick: “My efforts to improve equity and inclusion for Missourians with disabilities won’t end with the end of the month”
Jefferson City, MO – As
October comes to an end, Treasurer Fitzpatrick is recognizing the importance of
National Disability Employment Awareness Month which celebrates the
contributions individuals with disabilities make in America’s workforce. Throughout
the month, the Treasurer has partnered with Chambers of Commerce and disability
services providers across the state to raise awareness about MO ABLE and
encourage employers to add payroll deductions. These efforts promote equity and
inclusion for employees with disabilities and families with children with
disabilities. “I have spent October traveling the state raising
awareness about MO ABLE and how adding payroll deductions for employees with
disabilities or parents of children with disabilities promotes equity and
inclusion,” Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “As we continue to raise awareness
about this valuable program and how it helps make it easier for individuals
with disabilities to save for the future, I am grateful to our partners and
look forward to continuing this conversation. My efforts on this issue won’t end
with the end of the month.” Launched in 2017, MO ABLE allows
individuals with disabilities and their families to save up to $15,000 per
year, tax-free, without losing federal benefits like Medicaid and SSI. For more
information about the MO ABLE program and to take an eligibility quiz, visit moable.com. On Tuesday, Treasurer
Fitzpatrick announced Central
Bank will offer payroll deductions for MO ABLE accounts to employees
beginning in 2021. Last week, Missouri
State University announced it will offer payroll deductions for MO ABLE
accounts to employees during open enrollment this year. Treasurer Fitzpatrick has
announced partnerships with Chambers of Commerce across the state to encourage
businesses to add payroll deductions for MO ABLE accounts. The Treasurer has
partnered with the
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the
St. Louis Regional Chamber, the
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Arc of the Ozarks, the
Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB, the Columbia Chamber of
Commerce, the
St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, and the
O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce. The Treasurer’s Office has also
worked with Missouri’s congressional delegation to increase support for the
ABLE Age Adjustment Act. This month, Rep. Jason Smith and Rep. Billy Long
became co-sponsors of the legislation that will increase eligibility for MO
ABLE. They join Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, Rep. Ann Wagner, and Rep. Vicky Hartzler.
Missouri has the fourth largest delegation support for this bill behind
California, New York, and Pennsylvania. This month, Treasurer
Fitzpatrick also launched a new
informational video to provide a simple overview of the MO ABLE program for
Missourians with disabilities and their families. The video was produced in
partnership with the UMKC Institute for Human Development and the Missouri
Developmental Disabilities Council.
MO ABLE currently has 1,728 accounts and over $12 million in assets under
management, making it one of the largest ABLE programs in the country. ### Follow the Treasurer’s Office on Twitter, Facebook,
and Instagram @motreasurer.