What is Financial Empowerment?
The National Disability Institute defines Financial Empowerment as "the ability and confidence of individuals and communities to make positive financial decisions that promote their long-term financial stability and financial well-being."
People with disabilities and their families deserve to be equipped with the best information and resources necessary to make financial decisions that provide them with security and stability now and in the future.
This Financial Empowerment Tool Guide provides a variety of resources covering topics such as financial wellness, disability benefits counseling, banking and credit building, to ABLE accounts and supplemental (special) needs trusts.
Interactive Financial Education Modules
Money Smart: FDIC's financial education program for people of all ages. Includes interactive games.
Better Money Habits: Bank of America's program on improving financial health.
SSI at Work Toolkit: Resource from Yang-Tan Institute on Disability and Employment. Includes summaries, case studies, and quick quizzes on SSI, Medicaid, and work incentives.
Financial Wellness for Employment
Secure Your Financial Future: Department of Labor resource specifically for people with disabilities on financial well-being throughout the employment journey.
Aligning My Career Path with My Earning Needs: LEAD Center tool outlining considerations for finding a job that meets budget needs. Also discusses resources such as American Job Centers, Vocational Rehabilitation and SSA's Ticket to Work Program.
Ticket to Work Program: Resource available to SSI and SSDI recipients interested in working. Webinars and other materials discuss different work incentives and protections available to benefit recipients who undergo job training and and navigate working while receiving benefits.
Credit Building for People with Disabilities
How to Establish Credit for People with Disabilities: BankRate Article
Why Credit is Important to People with Disabilities: Experian Article
Access to Credit for Adults with Disabilities: Information Brief from National Disability Institute
Savings Tools for People with Disabilities
Saving Money for People with Disabilities: BankRate article describing different savings options for people with income limits based on government benefits.
ABLE Accounts and SNTs: How to Choose - article from the Special Needs Alliance on figuring out which savings account will work best for the needs of the person with a disability.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Each Account: Resource from ABLE National Resource Center on ABLE Accounts, Special Needs Trusts, and Pooled Trusts.
Saving Is An Option for Individuals with Disabilities - AmericaSaves article covering resources that people with disabilities can use to build up savings.