Treasurer Stacy Garrity Celebrates Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at Stoneybrook Foundation
Acme, PA - Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity visited the Stoneybrook Foundation in Westmoreland County today to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and promote the PA ABLE Savings Program. PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are a tax-free way for Pennsylvanians with disabilities, and their families, to save without affecting eligibility for important benefits.
Paula Cinti, Stoneybrook Foundation’s executive director, led a tour of the therapeutic riding center. Stoneybrook helps over 900 children and adults annually. State Representative Leslie Rossi (R-59) also joined today’s tour.
“The services provided by Stoneybrook Foundation are life-changing for their clients, and their facility is incredible. It’s great to know that the Stoneybrook Foundation, which supports so many in the community has the great support of its legislative representatives in Senator Kim Ward and Rep. Rossi. I’m always inspired by the people I meet in every corner of the state who save with PA ABLE, and I encourage everyone who has a family member or friend with a disability to learn more about what PA ABLE can do for them.”
Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity
“We were thrilled to welcome PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity to Stoneybrook Foundation for a tour of our therapeutic riding center. At Stoneybrook, we are dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities and special challenges, providing them with the benefits of equine-assisted activities. We were glad to discuss how PA ABLE can support our students and their families in planning for a secure financial future while continuing to access the life-changing programs we offer.”
Stoneybrook Foundation’s Executive Director Paula Cinti
“The families that I meet that have experienced Stoneybrook have quite a story to tell. It’s so valuable to have a facility in my district that can meet the needs of people who need this unique and special form of therapy that touches the lives of any age both young and old. When I’ve visited, I always leave there with such an uplifting feeling that warms my heart from the work I see going on at Stoneybrook. I’m very pleased that our State Treasurer toured this special gem here in District # 59 that touches the lives and the well-being of so many families that need the services that the Stoneybrook Foundation provides.”
State Representative Leslie Rossi (R-59)
States were authorized to create ABLE programs with the passage of federal ABLE legislation in 2014. PA ABLE was enacted in 2016 with leadership from Senator Lisa Baker; the first PA ABLE account was opened the following year. Since then, the program has grown to more than 10,300 accounts with more than $150 million saved.
PA ABLE account owners can save and pay for a wide variety of disability-related expenses, like groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation, and longer-term expenses including education and assistive technology.
Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has reduced fees five times for PA ABLE account owners. She was also a strong advocate for the federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act. Currently, to be eligible to save with an ABLE program, a person’s disability must be onset prior to their 26th birthday. With the new law, starting in 2026, ABLE eligibility will be expanded to those whose disability started by age 46.
“PA ABLE is a tremendous tool to help our family, friends and neighbors with disabilities live more independently and plan for a secure future. I’m thrilled that starting next year, thanks to the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, six million more Americans, including one million Veterans, will be eligible to save with these incredible programs.”
Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity
PA ABLE offers several different savings and investment options, including a checking account. PA ABLE account owners can contribute up to $19,000 per year. Contributions can be deducted on PA state income taxes. PA ABLE account owners pay no federal or state income taxes on account growth, and qualified withdrawals are tax-free.
PA ABLE is the largest program in the 19-member National ABLE Alliance, accounting for nearly 25% of total Alliance assets.
To learn more about program eligibility and how to start saving with PA ABLE, visit paable.gov, email info@paable.gov or call 855-529-2253.
