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DES was informed by FEMA that LWA will end this week (benefit week ending September 5). DES has requested and received its weekly allocation for this last week. Starting next week, for the benefit week ending September 12, eligible claimants will receive their weekly benefit amount without LWA. Those who have not yet filed weekly claims or whose claims have yet to be processed may still be eligible for LWA. DES will continue to work with FEMA to provide retroactive LWA payments for eligible weeks between the week ending August 1 and the week ending September 5, as funding allows. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2RjJyvM

DES Services Related to COVID-19

AZ ABLE - Achieving a Better Life Experience

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Overview

Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account programs are investment programs that offer persons with disabilities, their family and friends, the option to contribute to a tax-exempt savings account for disability-related expenses. As of March 5, 2018, AZ ABLE accounts are open for enrollment.

Learn more about the AZ ABLE account program, such as eligibility, investment options, and other information at the AZ ABLE website.

For questions or inquiries regarding AZ ABLE presentations, please email [email protected].

Benefits of Opening an AZ ABLE Account

Money saved does not affect SNAP
Money saved does not affect Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Medicaid
Money saved only suspends SSI if account balance reaches over $100,000
Provides financial freedom for people with disabilities
Account is owned by the individual with the disability
Dramatically increases ability to save
Before ABLE, individuals with disabilities could only save around $2,000 of their own money before risking loss of health care and other benefits
Provides a new investment opportunity
Includes tax free earnings

How Can You Spend Saved Money?

Money must only be spent on Qualified Disability Expenses which means anything that: (1) relates to your disability and (2) helps to maintain or improve your health, independence, or quality of life.

Some examples of Qualified Disability Expenses are:

Housing and Rent
Basic Living Expenses
Medical/Financial/Legal Bills
Education
Transportation
Assistive Technology
Other

Enrollment Overview

Convenient Online Enrollment
Free and only takes about 20 minutes
A $50.00 minimum opening deposit is required
Can be done by the individual with the disability (“Beneficiary”) or an Authorized Legal Representative (ALR)
An ALR can be a parent, guardian, or someone with a power of attorney

Enroll in the AZ ABLE Program

Resources

Pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other nondiscrimination laws and authorities, ADES does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Persons that require a reasonable modification based on language or disability should submit a request as early as possible to ensure the State has an opportunity to address the modification. The process for requesting a reasonable modification can be found at Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Modification.

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