***CONFERENCE CALL TODAY – PLEASE RSVP ASAP***
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY CONTACT: Matt House
May 9, 2012 (202) 224-7433
SCHUMER: UPSTATE CASES OF AUTISM ON THE RISE, AND COST OF CARE IS PUTTING A CRUNCH ON THOUSANDS OF FAMILY BUDGETS – PUSHES LEGISLATION TO CREATE NEW SAVINGS ACCOUNTS TO HELP PARENTS SAVE MONEY FOR CARE OF KIDS WITH AUTISM AND OTHER DISABILITIES
Legislation Would Create Tax-Advantaged Savings Accounts, Similar To Savings Accounts for College, To Help Parents Better Afford Medical Care For Disabled Children
New County-By-County Data Shows Thousands of Eligible Families With Autistic Children and Other Disabilities Could Save – 23,000 Families Eligible in Southern Tier, 42,000 in Western NY, Nearly 34,000 In Rochester-Finger Lakes
Schumer: Families of Children with Special Needs Should Have Help Affording Care
Today, Wednesday May 9th at 12:30 pm on a press conference call, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer will call for the passage of legislation that would create tax-advantaged savings accounts for family members of individuals with disabilities to help them better afford the cost of care. The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act would allow families to set up accounts, similar to 529 education savings accounts, to save money to cover education, medical care, support services, employment training, housing, and transportation services for individuals with disabilities. Families who are currently the recipient of supplemental security income benefits would be eligible to set up these accounts under the legislation that Schumer supports. On the call, Schumer will highlight the cost of care related to autism – a disability that is one of many covered by the legislation and one of the fastest growing children’s disabilities in the country.
Schumer will release a county-by-county report of the number of families eligible for the accounts, as well as the number of children with autism in New York schools and the expected rise in diagnosed cases for children born in 2010.
DATE: TODAY, Wednesday May 9th
TIME: 12:30 PM
Bazzo ,05/09/12
As a parent of an autistic child, I support this bill 100 percent. This would enable parents to put savings into accounts for their children. We already have a college savings account but without a crystal ball we have no idea if she will ever be ready for college. These savings could be transferred to this special needs account. I applaud the efforts of Senator Schumer.