Dear Senator/Representative XXX,

My organization urges you to pass the ABLE Act (H.R. 647/S. 313) during the current Lame Duck session
of Congress. We strongly support the ABLE Act because it will enable individuals with disabilities and
their families to save for their future just like every other American. The ABLE Act facilitates selfdirection for people with disabilities, supports individuals living in the community and shifts some longterm services and supports costs from Medicaid.
Short statement on your organizations impact within the state if applicable.
My organization is also an active member of Lutheran Services in America Disability Network (LSA-DN).
LSA-DN is a nationwide association of Lutheran social ministry organizations, faith-based disability
service providers and Lutheran professional supporting the needs of individuals with intellectual and
development disabilities and related conditions (ID/DD). LSA-DN includes 25 organizational members
that provide support to more than 150,000 individuals in 33 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands,
generating over $1.25 billion in revenue every year.
Since its introduction, the ABLE Act continues to be an outstanding example of bipartisanship. Recently,
the ABLE Act passed unanimously out of the House Ways & Means Committee. To date, the ABLE Act
has garnered 74 co-sponsors in the Senate and 381 in the House and is being led by a bipartisan,
bicameral set of Congressional champions, including Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Senator
Richard Burr (R-NC); and Representative Ander Crenshaw (R-FL), Representative Chris Van Hollen (DMD), Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX).
The ABLE Act will enable secure funding for disability-related expenses on behalf of the designated
beneficiaries with disabilities that will supplement but not supplant benefits provided through private
insurance, a beneficiarys employment, SSI, Medicaid or other sources. Currently, barriers to
employment, independent living, and ultimately, economic self-sufficiency, exist because individuals
with disabilities often must rely on services through Medicaid and income supports through SSI. To
qualify for these safety net programs, individuals are significantly limited on the amount of assets they
can maintain. Through passage of the ABLE Act, individuals with disabilities will utilize 529 accounts to
fund a variety of essential expenses, including medical and dental care, education, community-based
supports, employment training, assistive technology, housing and transportation.
My organization is strongly committed to passage of the ABLE in the 113th Congress. We feel the time is
now to enact this important legislation and allow people with disabilities the chance to escape poverty
and live the American Dream.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me at your contact information.
Respectfully,