LINCOLN- State Treasurer Tom Briese and State Sen. Dave Murman along with other leaders announced that the Nebraska State Treasurer’s Office has a new crowdfunding website for Nebraskans with disabilities. The website, GiveToEnable.com, will allow for up to $10,000 in tax-deductible donations to be made to Nebraskans without risking the loss of their federal benefits. State Treasurer Briese called the plan a “win-win for everyone involved” because there are no fees or taxes for both parties.

The website is managed by the state through the “Enable Savings Plan”. It is Nebraska’s qualified ABLE program, referring to the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014. Assistant State Treasurer Stacy Pfeifer, director of the Enable Savings Plan, discussed how people with disabilities face increased costs — on average, about 28% for someone with a disability compared to someone without a disability, just to live their daily lives. The program can be used to pay for qualified disability expenses including housing, transportation, legal fees, and other expenses that improve the quality of life.

Edison McDonald, executive director of The Arc of Nebraska, which advocates with and for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, echoed how a “couple of cents” can determine if an individual receives or loses benefits. The additional funds allow people like Josh Swanson to save up for the future for things like service dog training. Swanson is able to be proactive with his savings and not have to worry about losing his federal benefits due to this program.

For the full article click HERE