Disability costs money. Medical care, assistive technology, accessibility modifications, reduced work capacity, and discrimination all create financial hardship. This section guides you through government programs, benefits, financial planning, and fighting for the support you deserve.
Many disabled people live in poverty. This isn't natural or inevitable—it's the result of discrimination, inaccessible employment, inadequate benefit systems, and lack of support. This section is written from the perspective that disabled people deserve financial security and dignity.
Benefits programs are bureaucratic, confusing, and often deliberately difficult to navigate. This section explains programs in plain language, walks you through applications, and helps you understand appeals when you're denied.
We cover U.S. federal programs (SSDI, SSI, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, TANF, veteran benefits), state benefits, international programs (Canada, UK, Australia, EU), and strategies for financial stability.
Introduction to major U.S. disability and need-based benefits, how they work together, and choosing which programs you might qualify for.
Managing disability and financial hardship. Covers medical debt, credit issues, predatory lending, bankruptcy, budgeting on a fixed income, and your financial rights.
What to do when you're denied benefits. Includes how to appeal, what evidence to gather, working with advocates, and understanding reconsideration, hearing, and appeals council levels.
You might qualify for SSDI →
You might qualify for SSI →
Medicare → if you're 65+ or have specific disabilities; Medicaid → if you're low-income
Debt, Budgeting & Financial Rights →
Insurance-based programs (SSDI, Medicare, Unemployment Insurance):
Means-tested programs (SSI, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF):
Veteran programs:
Different programs have different rules about work, marriage, living situations, and how much you can earn while receiving benefits. Understanding these rules is critical to avoiding overpayments and benefit loss.
Who qualifies:
Important to know:
Who qualifies:
Important to know:
Many disabled people want to work but are afraid of losing benefits. Important things to know:
SSDI Work Incentives:
SSI Work Incentives:
Medicaid Coverage:
Learn more about work and benefits →
Benefits vary dramatically by country:
Canada:
UK:
Australia:
EU:
Disability causes financial hardship through:
Strategies:
Benefit denials happen, even when you qualify. You can appeal:
Reconsideration (Social Security): Ask Social Security to reconsider your denial. You can submit new evidence.
Hearing (Social Security): Request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You can bring evidence and witnesses.
Appeals Council (Social Security): Final appeal to Social Security's appeals council.
Federal Court: You can file a federal lawsuit if you disagree with the Appeals Council decision.
Other benefits have similar appeal processes.
Benefits Planning Assistance: Many nonprofits offer free benefits planning to help you understand how work affects benefits.
Legal Aid: Free legal help for low-income people in many areas.
Pro Bono Representation: Some lawyers work for free on benefits cases.
Fee-Based Representatives: Social Security allows representatives (lawyers or non-lawyers) who can charge a percentage of past-due benefits.
You don't need a lawyer to appeal benefits, but having help increases your chances of winning.
Budgeting on disability benefits requires:
Benefits systems often discriminate:
These are access issues that need addressing.
Have you successfully navigated a benefits program? Know about a program that should be explained? Have feedback on how benefits systems harm disabled people?
We welcome contributions, especially from people with lived experience of multiple disabilities, low-income people, and communities experiencing additional barriers in benefits systems.
Last updated: [Date]
Maintained by: DisabilityWiki Benefits & Financial Support Team
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