Autism - Disability Savings Act of 2008

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEwvM2PIB3U[/youtube]

What do you think about this?


I know people do not like Autism Speaks but again I don't know much about them. I talked to my Congressman who I have talked to before about disability rights before. I want to have a savings account so can save for future hopes and not be stuck. I am not lazy and I work all the time to become self-sufficient.


Mike replied:

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Dear Mr. Young:

Thank you for contacting me regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). I appreciate you taking the time to share your concerns with me and I apologize for the delay in getting back to you.

On March 11, 2008, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) introduced the Disability Savings Act of 2008 (S. 2741). This legislation would have established a tax exemption for disability savings accounts with a value under $250,000 which are established for beneficiaries who are under the age of 65 and are either blind or disabled. These accounts could provide tax-free disbursements to the beneficiaries to help pay for education, clothing and other expenses. S. 2741 was referred to the Senate Finance Committee, however, the Committee was unable to consider this legislation before the end of the 110th Congress. This bill has not yet been reintroduced in the 111th Congress, but I will certainly keep your concerns in mind should S. 2741 or similar legislation be brought before the House of Representatives in the future.

Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me. Please continue to contact me on all issues of importance to you and to our district.

Sincerely,

MIKE THOMPSON
Member of Congress
http://www.mikethompson.house.gov
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If this bill is what I think it is, then in my eyes, it should be called the Disabled Child IRA and is a very good idea for parents of a child who will need care for the rest of their lives.

Right now, if I were to have a child with disabilities who would not be able to work and would need government assistance, I cannot leave that child any money on my death because they would then become ineligible for the government assistance. The parents instead have to set up a trust where the child has virtually no control of the money in order to bypass this requirement (and these trusts are not easy to set up).

This this will do is allow parents to save money tax free (as if the money was going into an IRA for retirement or education), and then the child would have access to that money for needs beyond what government assistance pays and the child would not lose their government assistance.

Yes but children grow up. There is a lack of equality, least in the sense of financial security, need and hope and as well as unequal rights compared those without disabilities. Rights are removed for being guilty of being born with a disability. What gives America? What I am trying to say is no one should feel guilty about being on government assistance and should not feel shame to ask that rights for yourself or one whom you speak for be more equal. In so in saying, I am not ashamed, I was born in a military careerist family and my dad is a public veterans advocate. I do not think I should have less rights or more rights because I was born into a military family but everyone who is American should have equal liberties unless a criminal. I should always seek self-sufficiency as an American duty. So I cannot be assumed as guilty of being lazy either or hated as possibly being so and stripped indifferently of my rights or others stripped of theirs. I cannot achieve self-sufficiency yet I should have the hope to be able to save and imagine the possibility of a better tomorrow despite disability.