Treasurer Fitzpatrick: “My efforts to improve equity and inclusion for Missourians with disabilities won’t end with the end of the month”

October 30, 2020

Jefferson City, MO – As October comes to an end, Treasurer Fitzpatrick is recognizing the importance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month which celebrates the contributions individuals with disabilities make in America’s workforce. Throughout the month, the Treasurer has partnered with Chambers of Commerce and disability-services providers across the state to raise awareness about MO ABLE and encourage employers to add payroll deductions. These efforts promote equity and inclusion for employees with disabilities and families with children with disabilities.

“I have spent October traveling the state raising awareness about MO ABLE and how adding payroll deductions for employees with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities promotes equity and inclusion,” Treasurer Fitzpatrick said. “As we continue to raise awareness about this valuable program and how it helps make it easier for individuals with disabilities to save for the future, I am grateful to our partners and look forward to continuing this conversation. My efforts on this issue won’t end with the end of the month.”

Launched in 2017, MO ABLE allows individuals with disabilities and their families to save up to $15,000 per year, tax-free, without losing federal benefits like Medicaid and SSI. For more information about the MO ABLE program and to take an eligibility quiz, visit moable.com.

On Tuesday, Treasurer Fitzpatrick announced Central Bank will offer payroll deductions for MO ABLE accounts to employees beginning in 2021. Last week, Missouri State University announced it will offer payroll deductions for MO ABLE accounts to employees during open enrollment this year.

Treasurer Fitzpatrick has announced partnerships with Chambers of Commerce across the state to encourage businesses to add payroll deductions for MO ABLE accounts. The Treasurer has partnered with the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the St. Louis Regional Chamber, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Arc of the Ozarks, the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and CVB, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce, and the O’Fallon Chamber of Commerce.

The Treasurer’s Office has also worked with Missouri’s congressional delegation to increase support for the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. This month, Rep. Jason Smith and Rep. Billy Long became co-sponsors of the legislation that will increase eligibility for MO ABLE. They join Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, Rep. Ann Wagner, and Rep. Vicky Hartzler. Missouri has the fourth largest delegation support for this bill behind California, New York, and Pennsylvania.

This month, Treasurer Fitzpatrick also launched a new informational video to provide a simple overview of the MO ABLE program for Missourians with disabilities and their families. The video was produced in partnership with the UMKC Institute for Human Development and the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council.

MO ABLE currently has 1,728 accounts and over $12 million in assets under management, making it one of the largest ABLE programs in the country.