LIFE SKILLS
Money & benefits
Build enough money skill to create more choice and safety.
1
Start with access
Know how money is received, where it is stored and who currently helps manage it.
2
Practice everyday spending
Use a debit card or cash for predictable purchases and review the receipt.
3
Make bills visible
Calendar recurring bills and automate appropriate payments with safeguards.
4
Learn scam patterns
Practice recognizing urgency, gift-card requests, fake support calls and requests for passwords or codes.
5
Understand benefits
SSI/SSDI, Medicaid and other benefits can interact with earnings and savings. Use qualified benefits counseling for individual decisions.
6
Explore ABLE
For eligible people, ABLE accounts may provide a disability-focused savings pathway under applicable rules.