MANSFIELD, PA — On Friday, Treasurer Stacy Garrity and Special Olympics Pennsylvania promoted the PA ABLE Savings Program ahead of the Tioga County Special Olympics’ Track and Field Meet at Commonwealth University at Mansfield. Treasurer Garrity welcomed the athletes during the opening ceremonies.
PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts provide a tax-free way for Pennsylvanians with disabilities to save money without affecting their eligibility for vital benefits.
“Working with the Special Olympics is incredible,” said Treasurer Garrity. “It’s such a great organization, focused on giving individuals living with disabilities the chance to develop physical fitness and life skills, helping them to live more independent and rewarding lives. That matches perfectly with the goal of PA ABLE, which helps Pennsylvanians with disabilities save money without losing access to any important benefits. I encourage everyone who has a family member or friend living with a disability to look into what PA ABLE can do for them.”
“For over 35 years we have enjoyed hosting over 200 Tioga County athletes at this athletic event. We are very pleased to have Treasurer Garrity join us this year,” said Addie Milheim, Special Olympics Tioga County Track and Field Coordinator.
PA ABLE programs have strong bipartisan support in Pennsylvania. Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat, championed the federal ABLE legislation, which became law in December 2014. State Senator Lisa Baker, a Republican, led the effort for PA ABLE, which was signed into law in April 2016. The first PA ABLE accounts opened in 2017. Since then, the program has grown to over 9,000 accounts with more than $120 million saved. In the past three years, assets have nearly tripled.
“For years, people with disabilities were barred from saving for the future, which meant they couldn’t save for a home, purchase needed assistive technology, or save for an accessible car,” said Senator Casey. “That is why I worked to create ABLE, to knock down a barrier that people with disabilities face as they work to improve their lives. Almost ten years later, the program has become a lifeline for thousands of people with disabilities across the nation, with more than $120 million saved in Pennsylvania alone. I’m grateful to Treasurer Garrity for her work to make this program a success and to bring attention to what we’ve accomplished for Pennsylvanians and Americans with disabilities.”
“Events such as this today highlight the talents and drive of these amazing athletes,” added Senator Baker. “PA ABLE helps them and thousands of others showcase these same attributes by giving financial freedom and support to enrich their lives each and every day. PA ABLE has grown quickly, yet still has a bright future that we’re excited to see achieve new heights.”
Special Olympics Pennsylvania offers year-round sports training and athletic competition in various Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. These events provide opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and share gifts, skills, and friendship with families, other athletes, and the community.
The promotion of the PA ABLE Savings Program at this event highlights its importance. For many individuals with disabilities, financial barriers have long been a hurdle. PA ABLE accounts enable them to save for significant expenses, such as housing, assistive technology, and transportation, without jeopardizing their access to necessary benefits. This financial security is essential for fostering independence and improving quality of life.
As the program continues to grow, it represents a crucial tool for economic empowerment for people with disabilities. By providing a way to save and invest in the future, PA ABLE helps ensure that financial progress is within reach for all Pennsylvanians, regardless of their physical abilities.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.