Many disabled people end up in debt or financial crisis because:
- Benefits are too low or delayed,
- Systems are designed around full-time work and “productivity,”
- Medical, equipment, housing, or caregiving costs are high.
This page focuses on survival finances:
- Debt and collections
- Basic budgeting in a hostile economy
- Financial rights and protections
- Practical tips from lived experience
⚠️ This page is not financial or legal advice. It’s a starting point. Laws differ by country and change over time.
- Medical bills and hospital charges
- Credit cards and personal loans used to cover basics
- Rent arrears and utility bills
- Overpayments from benefit agencies
- Education loans
- Borrowing from family or informal lenders
Some disabled people prefer to think of budgeting as resource mapping instead of “being more disciplined.” Systems are often the problem.
Possible steps:
- List non-negotiable expenses (housing, meds, food, utilities, care).
- Identify variable expenses that you can adjust, even if only slightly.
- Track irregular costs (equipment repair, accessible transport, co-pays).
- Look for mutual aid, food pantries, community fridges, and charity programs that can reduce pressure.
- If possible, build a small emergency buffer, even if just a few dollars at a time.
Things that may exist in your country (check local law):
- Rules limiting how collectors can contact you and when.
- Hardship programs with utilities, medical providers, or lenders.
- Statutes of limitations on old debts.
- Options to set up payment plans or negotiate reduced settlements.
- Government programs that protect part of your income from garnishment.
Access to these protections often requires:
- Knowing your rights,
- Being able to write letters, make calls, or get representation,
- Navigating inaccessible systems.
Depending on your location, you may have rights related to:
- Disability discrimination in lending and banking
- Reasonable accommodations (e.g., needing written communication instead of phone calls)
- Protection of certain benefits from seizure (e.g., some disability payments)
This page should be expanded with country-specific and region-specific sections that explain concrete rights and processes.
Places to look for support:
- Legal aid or legal clinics
- Consumer rights organizations
- Disability advocacy groups
- Debt advice charities and hotlines
- Trusted community groups and mutual aid networks
When you contribute, consider adding:
- Lists of free or low-cost financial counseling services in your region
- Templates for hardship letters or payment plan requests (without personal data)
- Lived-experience tips on dealing with collectors while disabled