LANCASTER, PA — The state’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (PA ABLE) savings program has crossed a significant milestone. The program now boasts over $100 million in assets, marking a crucial step in its mission to provide financial security for individuals with disabilities and their families.
State Treasurer Stacy Garrity embarked on a statewide tour to celebrate this achievement, making a stop at VisionCorps in Lancaster County on Tuesday. A non-profit organization that empowers people with vision impairments to lead independent lives, VisionCorps offers a range of services from rehabilitation to recreational activities.
During her visit, Garrity took a tour of VisionCorps’ manufacturing facility that produces helmet pad sets for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Rated for blunt impact levels of protection, these pads are part of the Enhanced Combat Helmet, Advanced Combat Helmet, and Integrated Head Protection System sets. George Tobler and Chris Ament, VPs of Quality Assurance and AbilityOne Contracting, and Rehabilitation and Education respectively, led the tour.
Praising VisionCorps’ dedication to both the military and individuals with vision impairments, Garrity said, “They help provide independence and opportunity in so many ways, which is also the goal of PA ABLE. I encourage everyone who has a family member or friend living with a disability to learn about what PA ABLE can do for them.”
PA ABLE, an initiative created to offer tax-free savings for Pennsylvanians with disabilities without affecting their eligibility for benefits, was enacted in 2016 under the leadership of Senator Lisa Baker. Since then, it has grown to host more than 8,400 accounts with over $110 million saved, nearly tripling its assets over the past three years.
Dennis Steiner, President & CEO of VisionCorps, echoed Garrity’s sentiments. “We are proud of our employees who are blind and vision impaired and their interest in working every day to lead independent lives. PA ABLE is another opportunity to give our employees and any individuals with disabilities the chance to save and invest for their future.”
Senator Lisa Baker lauded the program’s impact, saying, “Crossing the $100 million investment threshold is testament to the importance the ABLE program has for so many Pennsylvania families.”
Since its inception, Pennsylvanians have contributed $133.7 million to PA ABLE accounts, with more than $37.6 million withdrawn for disability-related expenses, including groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation, education, and assistive technology.
The success of the PA ABLE program underscores the potential of such initiatives to provide a financial safety net for those living with disabilities, fostering a sense of independence and security that is invaluable to the individuals and families it serves.
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