Special needs advocates celebrate passage of ABLE Act

Posted on December 19, 2014

By Dahl Dahl/Illinois Radio Network

SPPINGFIELD – While other parents of teenagers look forward to watching their kids leave the nest, go to college, and start a career, Mike Mahoney of Springfield has other concerns.

“We have twin boys who are 14,” he says, “both on the autism spectrum. Unless we get our miracle, they're going to be dependent on us for the rest of our lives.”

Mahoney appeared at a Springfield news conference to celebrate passage of the ABLE Act. ABLE stands for Achieving Better Life Experience.

“We get inquiries all the time about, 'how can I make sure that there's money set aside for my son or daughter, so that I know that they have what they need for the future?'” said Brenda Yarnell, president of United Cerebral Palsy of Land of Lincoln in Springfield.

The bill, awaiting the president's action, would protect assets of special-needs Americans without jeopardizing their eligibility for Medicaid and SSI. Right now there is a $2,000 cap.

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