The ABLE National Resource Center (ABLE NRC) announces the launch of its #ABLEtoSave Video Contest for ABLE account holders, which will run through the month of July.

First, second, and third cash prizes will be awarded for best videos, and the prizes will be deposited directly into the winners’ ABLE accounts.

To participate in the contest, ABLE account holders must create a one-minute video that tells who they are, where they live, which state ABLE program they chose for their account and what disability-related expenses they are #ABLEtoSave for, as well as any other information about themselves they would like to include.

Videos will be uploaded to YouTube and shared throughout the ABLE NRC’s August #ABLEtoSave campaign on its Facebook and Twitter social media platforms, a media release from National Disability Institute – manager of the ABLE National Resource Center – explains.

#ABLEtoSave is a month-long grassroots education and informational campaign about ABLE accounts held in August. The primary goals of #ABLEtoSave are to increase awareness about ABLE accounts and to encourage ABLE-eligible people with disabilities and their families to open ABLE accounts throughout the country.

“The #ABLEtoSave Video Contest is an opportunity for ABLE account holders across the country to share how they are using their ABLE accounts to Achieve a Better Life Experience and motivate other ABLE-eligible individuals with disabilities to follow their example,” says Miranda Kennedy, Director, ABLE National Resource Center, in the release.

“We can’t wait to see everyone’s videos on how having an ABLE account has helped them to improve their health, independence and quality of life.”

ABLE accounts are tax-advantaged savings accounts that can be used to pay for qualified disability-related expenses such as education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, assistive technology, personal support services, health care expenses, financial management, and others without jeopardizing much needed benefits such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Since the passage of the Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience Act in December 2014, 42 states, including the District of Columbia, have launched ABLE programs (many of which are nationwide). According to the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST), more than 41,000 ABLE accounts have been opened with more than $220 million invested nationally; the average savings in an ABLE account is $4,000.

Those who are ABLE-eligible, but have still not opened an ABLE account and would like to participate in the #ABLEtoSave Video Contest, can still open an ABLE account during July.

[Source(s): National Disability Institute, PR Newswire]