Jefferson City has become the second Missouri city to offer employees the ability to take part in the MO ABLE program.
MO ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) is an investment account available for people with disabilities and their families. It is a tax-free account when the funds go toward specific purchases and does not disqualify somebody from programs such as Medicaid.
Ward 5 Councilman Jon Hensley saw the Missouri treasurer's office announce a partnership with cities to further promote the program.
"I thought that would be a good thing to introduce to our HR team and see if we could make it work for employees of Jefferson City," he said.
Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick has pushed awareness for the program and the opportunities it offers people with disabilities. The goal of MO ABLE is to help people with disabilities save for future expenses such as transportation, education, housing and heath care.
"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 those who are providing this opportunity for employees," Fitzpatrick said. "I hope other municipal and county governments across the state will follow (Jefferson City's) example."
Kansas City was the first local government within Missouri to offer the program to employees.
"I am pleased to work with Treasurer Fitzpatrick and our HR team in Jefferson City to collaborate on helping our city employees save for the future using MO ABLE," Mayor Carrie Tergin said. "This is a simple thing we can do as an employer, but the support it provides our employees who can benefit from this program is meaningful."
Hensley said the program is a powerful move.
"MO ABLE is a program that has the potential to change the lives of Missourians with disabilities," he said. "This is a powerful way to support those individuals and their families."
According to Fitzpatrick's office, MO ABLE is one of the largest programs in the country with 2,367 accounts and more than $18 million in assets.