I have Down syndrome, and it’s illegal for me to put over $2,000 in a savings account without losing my benefits like Medicaid. I’m calling on Congress to pass the ABLE Act to help people like me plan for our futures.

Sign Sara’s Petition

I’m 31 years old, and I happen to have Down syndrome. I have two jobs, and lead an independent life, however, when my mom died suddenly last year, things got a lot harder for me and my family. I want to support myself and save money for my future, but if I save more than $2,000, I’ll lose the benefits I depend on like Medicaid and Social Security.

That’s because of a law that says that people with disabilities like me can’t have more than $2,000 in assets or we risk losing the benefits we need to live. For me, living on my own, that means I can’t even save enough to put down rent and a security deposit on an apartment. This law keeps me dependent on other people, and that’s really scary now that my mom is gone.

But there is a solution: The ABLE Act. The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act is a bill in Congress that would allow people like me to save money for our futures through 529-like accounts that wouldn’t impact our medical care and disability benefits.

I started a petition on Change.org calling on Congress to pass the ABLE Act this year. Will you click here to sign it?

It’s very scary for me to be on my own knowing I’m not allowed to save money in case something goes wrong. I’ve worked so hard to build a life for myself, living on my own and working as a law clerk. It’s horrible to think I could lose everything because I have no security. I dream of living on my own, working one, full-time job, and even taking postsecondary courses to earn a degree.

With an ABLE account, I would not only have security, I could also plan for my future. This bill will not only change my life but has the potential to change the lives of millions of people with and without disabilities.  

Some people think my disability holds me back, but they’re wrong. I’ve learned that I can be independent, even without my mom, as hard as that is. I can hold down a job, and even speak at rallies in Washington, DC. I just need to be allowed to make my own way and plan for my better life. Will you help me make that possible?

Please click here to sign my petition calling on Congress to pass the ABLE Act so that people like me can plan for our futures.

When this bill passes, I’ll be standing next to President Obama when he signs it. And I’ll thank you for making that moment happen.

Thank you,

Sara Wolff Moscow, PA