Gov. David Ige (D) announced the launch for the ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) savings program with the aim of helping the eligible disabled citizens of Hawaii save money and, at the same time, not jeopardize any of the state or federal disability benefits that they are already entitled to.
"I encourage all Hawaii residents with a qualifying disability to open a Hawaii ABLE Savings account. ABLE provides the tools needed to achieve financial empowerment and help them prepare for a more independent and secure future through a simple, intuitive online savings opportunity,” Ige said, according to Big Island Now.
Ige signed a bill this year that eliminates the practice of paying individuals a sub-minimum wage based solely on the fact the person has a disability, Big Island Now reported.
Hawaii ABLE said it is proud to be part of the ABLE Collaboration and the ABLE for ALL Savings Plan.
“For too long, people with disabilities could not save for the future out of fear of losing needed government benefits," Daintry Bartoldus, executive administrator of the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, told Big Island Now. "The disability community fought long and hard to change this, and together we’ve come up with a solution.”
In 2019, Ige signed Kal’s Law. As per this law, all eligible disabled citizens would be allowed to work full-time at minimum wage and not lose their existing disability benefits.