Financial Literacy for People with Disabilities

The Basics

"Financial literacy" means having a general understanding of how to manage your money, which includes getting money, spending money, and saving up money. Over time, financial literacy can help you do big things like pay for college, buy a house, or have money as you get older. It can also help you stay away from scams and be ready for unexpected expenses and difficult life events.

Financial literacy is especially important for people with disabilities, who often:

  • Spend more on everyday activities
  • Have high medical costs, and
  • Get public benefits that have rules about money and assets.

This article has pages about these key financial literacy topics:

Each page is focused on important issues for people with disabilities and has links to programs that can help you with them.

General tips

People with disabilities can manage their own money. Keep these things in mind as you read this article:

  • Financial literacy, so that you can manage and make good decisions about your money, is an important key to independence.
  • It’s okay to be nervous about these topics. Many people are! Take some deep breaths and keep on learning.
  • It’s okay if math is hard for you. Get the basic ideas and if you have trouble with the math, use tools that can help do the math for you, or get help with it.
  • Don’t worry about past or future mistakes. Just focus on learning more so that you can be financially independent!

Learn more