ABLE Act a life-enhancer for Minnesota families

In December, Congress passed a law called the ABLE Act, aimed at helping families pay for the extra expenses that come with raising a disabled child. The legislation allows someone with a disability or their family to put up to $100,000 in a special savings account without jeopardizing their eligibility for public assistance programs.

Right now, individuals with a disability can only have $2,000 in assets to get help.

"This will really enhance the ability of Minnesotans to achieve their individual goals by allowing them to save money." said Steve Larson, senior policy director with the Arc Minnesota.

ABLE accounts could be used for everything from education to housing.

The ABLE Act passed its first committees in both the House and Senate, and supporters hope it will get to a vote in the next month. The federal government is supposed to have regulations for the program in place by mid-June, and the ABLE Act could be implemented in Minnesota by Fall of 2015.