Montana says program allows the disabled to live the dream

HELENA — Montana announced a program Tuesday that officials said will help people with disabilities start savings accounts that give them more control on their money and disability expenses, while remaining eligible for medical benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.

The 2015 Legislature passed Senate Bill 399 to help eligible people with disabilities to establish Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts.

“This opens up a whole new world for people,” said Sheila Hogan, director of the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

She said that in the past, people with disabilities were essentially penalized for saving money and being financially responsible.

“This will positively change the lives of thousands of Montanans,” Hogan said. "It allows them to dream and provide a path for that dream."

Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney heralded the new program as an opportunity for Montanans with disabilities, but said the fact it was passed but not funded by lawmakers in 2015 “made things a little more challenging.”

The state set up an Achieving a Better Life Experience oversight committee which helped guide the program into fruition.

“This truly was a team effort,” he said.

Sen. Mary Caferro, D-Helena, co-sponsored SB 399 with Sen. Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville and Sen. Cynthia Wolken, D-Missoula.

“Montanans for too long have to choose between essential services and the American dream. The Achieving a Better Life Experience program serves to correct that,” Caferro said.

DPHHS administers Montana’s Achieving a Better Life Experience program. Account expenses include education, health and wellness, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology, and more, state officials said.

While there are annual contribution limits and caps on account balances, any person, such as a family member, friend or the person with a disability, may contribute to an Achieving a Better Life Experience account for an eligible beneficiary.

Montana’s program allows an income tax deduction of up to $3,000 per year for certain contributors.

Federal law sets requirements for Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts. The first option is a person who is entitled to benefits on the basis of disability or blindness under the Supplemental Security Income program or under the Social Security disability, retirement and survivors program. 

The second option is for someone to submit proof that meets the criteria for a disability certification.

In both cases, an eligible person’s disability must have occurred before the age 26.

Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts not only can help those early in life save for future years, but many of Montana’s disabled veterans who show proof of a disability before age 26 could benefit, officials said. 

Hogan said DPHHS contracted with the same vendor, Ascensus, which offers Montana’s tuition savings program. “Accounts are easy to open and manage online, offer a variety of investing and saving options, and a dedicated call center is available for assistance,” Hogan said. 

Clancy parent Jon Bennion said his son, Jack, qualifies for an Achieving a Better Life Experience account, and for their family it’s been a lifesaver.

“This opens up a new frontier and tool for parents of kids with disabilities,” Bennion, chief deputy attorney general at the Montana Department of Justice,  said while holding up a piggy bank at the news conference.

"Now we need to get the word out," he said.

He said his Achieving a Better Life Experience account will help pay for his son's medical costs not covered by insurance, medical equipment to help with his son's mobility and other items to help "improve my son’s quality of life.”

Ethan Martin, 12, is part of the Achieving a Better Life Experience program. He told those at the news conference he hoped to someday move to Arizona (he said he had planned to move to Canada until he heard there was a test) and live with friends. He brought a drawing of his dream home that was complete with a video game room and shooting range.

Ethan’s mom, Novelene, said an Achieving a Better Life Experience account gives her the peace of mind knowing she can make financial plans for his future. She heads the Developmental Disability Program for DPHHS and said 15 people are participating in the Achieving a Better Life Experience program so far.

For more information, go to savewithable.com/mt/home.html