By Ruth Brown, Idaho Reports 

The Idaho Senate approved Wednesday a bill to allow Idahoans with disabilities to save money for additional expenses, without the threat of losing coverage, sending it to the governor’s desk for signature. 

HB 26 passed the Senate in a 27-6 vote.  ABLE accounts — an acronym for Achieving a Better Life Experience – allow people with disabilities who collect Social Security Income to save money for future qualifying needs, such as transportation, housing, or medical expenses.   

Without ABLE accounts, people with disabilities risk no longer qualifying for SSI if they have more than $2,000 in their bank accounts, which discourages them from saving for expenses like car repair, or medical care that isn’t covered by insurance. The money in ABLE accounts doesn’t count against the $2,000. Only people whose disability began before the age of 26 are currently eligible for ABLE accounts.  

Sen. Carl Bjerke, R-Coeur d’Alene, said this opens doors for disabled people, offering the example of a person who uses a wheelchair being unable to fix a broken wheelchair-accessible vehicle for work because they have no savings.  

“It provides greater independence,” said Bjerke. 

Idaho is one of only three states in the country that does not yet have ABLE accounts. There is no cost to the state, because the new accounts are set up through a national consortium.  

The bill also establishes an advisory council for the Treasurer’s Office, but at no additional cost. 

The bill now heads to the governor’s office for signature to become law.  

---