People with disabilities are disproportionately low-income. Like many other marginalized communities, people with disabilities are being priced out of many neighborhoods, especially in large metropolitan centers, as rental prices continue to skyrocket and affordable housing stocks dwindle.

Many families of individuals with special needs want to foster their loved ones’ independence. Some may find that their loved one is happiest with a personal living space, as independent living offers greater autonomy. However, several barriers prevent many adults with special needs from living on their own.

People with disabilities in the labor force face higher unemployment rates, work fewer hours, earn lower incomes, and accumulate less wealth than those without a disability. According to 2022 data, the unemployment rate for American workers with disabilities is twice that of people without disabilities.

ABLE accounts can enhance quality of life for people with disabilities, offering financial protection while preserving access to public benefits for some individuals.

A special needs trust (SNT) and an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account each provide a tax-free way for people with disabilities to save money. Both options provide a mechanism for saving money and protecting resources that ensures the disabled individual remains eligible for public benefits. Accumulating resources without jeopardizing key government benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid can reduce monetary pressures and greatly enhance the lives of those with disabilities.

To qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal program that provides people with disabilities a monthly stipend, individuals must conform to very strict income and asset limits. Often, SSI beneficiaries who could hold a job opt not to because they worry about losing their benefits if they earn too much. While this is a valid concern, a program known as PASS offers these individuals the opportunity to pursue their professional ambitions while continuing to receive SSI payment.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, commonly known as the ADA, is considered one of the most important pieces of civil rights legislation for people with disabilities.  Passed in 1990 and amended in 2008, the ADA attempts to provide equal opportunities for people with disabilities in all facets of public life.

Today, more than 10 million people in the United States qualify for Medicaid because of a disability. This government assistance program, in place since the 1960s, helps cover the cost of medical care for those living on low income.