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<DIV>Greetings!</DIV>
<DIV>received the following this morning from Pamela Gaston, NJ CBVI.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference<BR>Joe Ruffalo,
President
<BR>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey <BR>973 743
0075<BR>nfbnj1@verizon.net<BR><A
href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</A></DIV>
<DIV>Raising Expectations To Live The Life You Want!</DIV>
<DIV>Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.<BR>Donate your
unwanted vehicle to us by clicking <BR>www.carshelpingtheblind.org <BR>or
call
855 659 9314<BR></DIV>
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<DIV>State Launches Tax-Free Savings Programs to Help Disabled People</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>NJ Spotlight, June 18, 2018-By: Lilo H. Stainton</DIV>
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<DIV>NJ ABLE gives people with disabilities as way to 'save for vital
day-to-day
expenses,' without imperiling Medicaid coverage, similar programs</DIV>
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<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Disabled people in New Jersey will have a new financial tool to help
them
save money to pay for childcare, transportation, assistive technology, and
other
necessary expenses, thanks to a program state officials plan to announce
today.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The New Jersey Department of Human Services will launch a tax-free
savings
program that will allow qualified individuals to collect funds to cover
costs
related to their disability, without preventing them from qualifying for
Medicaid and other state and federal social-service programs with strict
income
limits, according to information provided to NJ Spotlight in advance. The
program - called NJ ABLE, for Achieving a Better Life Experience - is based
on a
federal initiative now underway in three-dozen states.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Many disabled individuals and their families depend on a wide variety
of
public benefits - including Medicaid, food stamps or SNAP, and Social
Security -
most of which involve an income ceiling. These programs also require
participants to report savings and other assets worth more than $2,000,
according to the ABLE National Resource Center. That can make it hard to
amass
the capital needed to pay for services not covered by insurance or
government
programs.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>[cid:image001.jpg@01D4070B.BD60CF20]Image: Carole Johnson, commissioner
of
the Department of Human Services</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"This is an exciting new program for New Jersey that gives individuals
with
disabilities and their families the opportunity to improve their financial
security," DHS Commissioner Carole Johnson said. "They deserve the peace of
mind
that comes with being able to save for vital day-to-day expenses.
Individuals
with disabilities can do anything - and NJ ABLE is now another tool to help
them
live full and independent lives."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Making New Jersey ABLE</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The national ABLE initiative was created in 2014 under former President
Barack Obama and the following year New Jersey passed legislation -
championed
by Sen. President Steve Sweeney (D-Gloucester), Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt
(D-Camden), and others - to create its own program. Former Gov. Chris
Christie
signed it into law in January 2016, and the program was supposed to take
effect
in 10 months, but was not fully established until now.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Nationwide, the District of Columbia and 36 states - including
Pennsylvania
and New York - already have ABLE Account programs, according to recent
reports.
Other states, including Texas and California, are in the process of
establishing
similar efforts.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In New Jersey, some 22,000 disabled residents receive services through
the
DHS, and the state has been working in recent years to help more of these
individuals remain independent. In addition, the state is now in the midst
of a
massive shift in how it reimburses providers who work with disabled clients,
a
process designed to give individuals and families more power in determining
care.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Increasing independence</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Disabled individuals, their families and advocate organizations
welcomed
the addition of the ABLE Account, which they said will also help increase
independence. "People with disabilities and their families are delighted to
learn that ABLE accounts are now a viable option in New Jersey," said
Mercedes
Witowsky, chair of the New Jersey Family Support Planning Council, one of
several supporters who praised the program in a draft press release prepared
by
the DHS.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"People with disabilities are often among the poorest citizens in our
state," added Dan Keating, executive director of the Alliance for the
Betterment
of Citizens with Disabilities. "NJ ABLE will allow them to save for their
future
without jeopardizing their benefits."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>According to the National Resource Center, ABLE Accounts are open to
individuals with significant disabilities that developed before they were 26
(although they can sign up at any age.) Family, friends, and others can
contribute up to $15,000 each - the maximum tax-free gift under federal
law -
into the fund, and the balance does not count toward the individual's total
income for federal or state tax purposes; interest that compounds is also
tax-free.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Suzanne Buchanan, executive director of Autism New Jersey, said the
organization gets daily calls from parents who are struggling "financially
and
emotionally" to meet their children's needs, and ABLE Accounts provide them
a
new financial option to improve economic stability and peace of mind.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"These accounts will allow individuals to work more, to save more, and
to
plan more," added Thomas Baffuto, executive director of The Arc of New
Jersey,
which provides services and supports for individuals with
disabilities.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>According to the DHS, the NJ ABLE accounts can be used to pay for
expenses
incurred as a result of living with a disability. These include, but aren't
limited to, education, health and wellness, housing, transportation, legal
fees,
financial management, job training and support, assistive technology, and
personal support services.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Some states set limits on the totals that can be collected in these
accounts, usually more than $300,000, and establish a minimum threshold for
tax-free status. The state Department of Treasury will work with the DHS to
establish the parameters of the New Jersey program, which may be
administered
and operated by a third party.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>N.J. Launches NJ ABLE Accounts to Help Individuals with
Disabilities</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Patch.com, June 18, 2018-By: Tom Hester</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Human Services Commissioner Johnson Unveils Tax-Free Savings Accounts
for
Individuals with Disabilities</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>(TRENTON) - New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson on
Monday
announced the launch of a major new program to help individuals with
disabilities become more independent and better thrive in their
communities.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>With the newly launched NJ ABLE program, individuals with disabilities
can
save tax-free for eligible expenses such as education, housing and
transportation without losing eligibility for Medicaid and other
benefits.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Residents can now visit here<<A
href="https://savewithable.com/nj/home.html">https://savewithable.com/nj/home.html</A>>
to learn more and begin saving.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"This is an exciting new program for New Jersey that gives individuals
with
disabilities and their families the opportunity to improve their financial
security," Johnson said. "They deserve the peace of mind that comes with
being
able to save for vital day-to-day expenses. Individuals with disabilities
can do
anything - and NJ ABLE is now another tool to help them live full and
independent lives."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The tax-free NJ ABLE accounts will not be included as an asset or
income
when determining an individual's eligibility for state assistance
programs.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The program also offers a range of investment options.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The NJ ABLE accounts can be used to pay for expenses incurred as a
result
of living with a disability. Qualified expenses include, but are not limited
to,
education, health and wellness, housing, transportation, legal fees,
financial
management, job training and support, assistive technology and personal
support
services.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The earnings on NJ ABLE investments are federally tax-deferred and
tax-free, if used for qualified disability expenses. This can help savings
compound.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"With NJ ABLE, individuals with disabilities will have a new option to
help
plan for real-life costs that concern every family," Johnson said. "Saving
for
the future has never been more important, and just as families save for
retirement or college, NJ ABLE will help provide fiscal self-sufficiency -
without putting eligibility for benefits at risk. The Murphy Administration
looks forward to seeing individuals with disabilities benefit from NJ ABLE
for
years to come."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The launch was welcomed by families and advocates.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Individuals with disabilities who receive supports from DHS said
they're
excited by the idea of being able to save without losing access to benefits
and
the opportunities they will have as a result.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"I am meeting about budgeting with staff because it is important to
me,"
said Annie Sims of Elizabeth. "I like NJ ABLE because I will be able to have
money for the things I need like surgery or going to school. My family can
even
give me money to help me save so I can have a better life without thinking,
if
they help me I'll lose my Medicaid or other benefits."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"I think NJ ABLE could help me save for a computer or other things that
can
help me read," said Marcella Truppa of Cranford. "You never know, I might
even
need a lawyer in the future. Without a savings account, I wouldn't be able
to
pay for one. My dad passed away and he really wanted to help me to save for
the
future, but he really couldn't do much because I would lose my important
benefits if he did. Now my family can help to save for the important things
without worrying that I'll lose something I need like my Medicaid."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"I feel like it will help me because I want to be able to save up to
learn
different things," said Mark Bloom of Cranford. "I want to get a better
education. I also want to be able to travel to conferences where I can
learn,
and I think NJ ABLE could help me to save for it."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"I love living by myself and NJ ABLE can help me save," said Carol
Petties
of Elizabeth. "I can also save for any health issues that might come up as I
get
older."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"As a parent, I am grateful for the opportunities my daughter Natalie,
who
has intellectual and developmental disabilities, will have now that New
Jersey
is moving forward with ABLE accounts," said Kelly Borden-Joye, who lives in
Monmouth County. "Staying within the resource requirements for federal
programs
like Medicaid, makes it difficult to save for her future and for her to
afford
other important components that make a meaningful life in the community a
reality for Natalie and all residents with intellectual and developmental
disabilities living throughout the state. These accounts will make a big
difference in the lives of many and I look forward to creating one for
Natalie
in the near future."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Every day on our helpline, Autism New Jersey supports parents across
the
state who struggle financially and emotionally to meet their children's
treatment and service needs," said Dr. Suzanne Buchanan, Autism New Jersey
executive director. "It's clear that Governor Murphy and the Department of
Human
Services are sympathetic to these struggles and are demonstrating their
commitment to New Jersey families of individuals with developmental
disabilities
through the establishment of these financial savings accounts and emotional
safety nets."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"People with disabilities and their families are delighted to learn
that
ABLE accounts are now a viable option in New Jersey," said Mercedes
Witowsky,
chair of the New Jersey Family Support Planning Council. "The ability for a
person with a disability to save money toward expenses for housing,
education,
transportation, employment training, health and wellness, financial
management,
legal fees, and more while protecting state disability related payments is a
positive step forward in improving the quality of life for people with
disabilities and their families."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"With the launch of the New Jersey ABLE accounts, residents with
intellectual and developmental disabilities will have now have access to a
very
important savings tool," said Thomas Baffuto, executive director of The Arc
of
New Jersey. "These accounts will allow individuals to work more, to save
more
and to plan more. The tax-advantaged savings accounts will give individuals
with
I/DD more freedom to live an integrated life, achieve their goals and to
afford
education, housing, transportation and other expenses that may be hard to
pay
for while also maintaining eligibility for critically-important federal
programs
and benefits."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"People with disabilities are often among the poorest citizens in our
state," said Dan Keating, executive director of the Alliance for the
Betterment
of Citizens with Disabilities. "NJ ABLE will allow them to save for their
future
without jeopardizing their benefits."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>The program originates from the federal Achieving a Better Life
Experience
(ABLE) Act of 2014 signed into law by President Obama. New Jersey then
passed a
law to join the program. The New Jersey bill was sponsored by Senators
Stephen
Sweeney and Dawn Marie Addiego and Assembly members Pamela Lampitt, Louis
Greenwald, Valerie Vainieri Huttle, Daniel Benson and Vincent Mazzeo.</DIV>
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