If you or a family member is disabled, you know how tough it can be on your finances. The National Disability Institute states that 28 percent of disabled adults live in poverty, compared with 13 percent of the general population. And it’s no wonder: Only 36.1 percent of disabled adults in the U.S. are in the workforce, compared with 76.9 percent of non-disabled adults, according to DisabilityStatistics.org.
So what can you do if you have a disability and struggle with poverty? There are some ways to get financial assistance for disabled adults and their families. Here are some resources to check out:
- Social Security Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Security Income
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Designated Housing Vouchers
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
1. Social Security Disability Insurance
The first step you should take is to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). To qualify for the program, you must have held jobs that were covered by Social Security. You also must have a disability that meets Social Security’s requirements. If approved, you will receive monthly cash benefits. This program can help provide some extra assistance each month until you can find work.
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2. Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a bit different than Social Security Disability Insurance. It's funded by tax revenue rather than Social Security and is designed for disabled people who don’t have sufficient income.
The program provides cash benefits to ensure that your food, shelter, and clothing needs are met.
To see if you qualify, go to the Social Security Administration’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool and answer a few questions.
3. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
If you’re living in poverty and struggling to pay your bills, you might consider applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Known by most people as “welfare,” this program can help you meet your basic needs and provide cash assistance with your rent, bills, and so on.
4. Designated Housing Vouchers
The U.S. Department of Housing and Development offers designated housing vouchers to non-elderly disabled families. This program distributes Section 8 vouchers to qualifying families to help pay their rent. If you are currently living in elderly-only public housing or you’re on the waiting list for public housing, you may be eligible for the program.
5. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers assistance to low-income families by giving benefits for food. You can use SNAP benefits at grocery stores to make sure that you have food on the table.
You do have to meet certain income requirements. For example, if you have a family of two and your net income is $1,354 or less, you are eligible for the program. SNAP can help lower your food costs and make sure you get the nutrition you need.
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6. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
You may also qualify for assistance with your heating and cooling costs through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program. “A person who participates or has family members who participate in certain other benefit programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or certain needs-tested Veterans benefits may be automatically eligible,” according to Benefits.gov.
Additional Resources and Financial Assistance for Disabled Adults
Using the above programs can help alleviate some of the financial burden of having a disability or living with and taking care of someone who has one. Aside from these programs, you can also find support and financial assistance for disabled adults at:
