Intensive Support • Early Career • Goal 8:
Establish Financial Literacy
Action step 1.
Explore our Financial Planning Tool Kit.
The Autism Speaks Financial Planning Tool Kit was created to help you develop a financial roadmap for your future. It contains expert information, personal stories and in-depth coverage of financial topics such as ABLE accounts, special needs trusts and financial assistance.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 2.
Learn about banking options.
Everyone has heard about banks, but fewer people are aware of credit unions. There are pros and cons to choosing a smaller bank or credit union versus a larger banking institution. The most important thing to remember is that joining a small local bank or credit union means you are more likely to be known as a customer, not just a number on an account.
Resources
Action step 3.
Educate yourself on common scams.
Unfortunately, scammers are a part of everyday life. You may get a phone call, letter or email saying you owe money to a company and need to send funds immediately or else risk jail time. This is an example of a common money scam that many people fall for every year.
People might also contact you phishing for your personal information, like your social security number or password or credit card information, to steal your identity. Educating yourself on these scams can help save you money, time and trouble in the end. To avoid falling for a scam, remember these helpful tips:
- Don’t give anyone your personal information, including your address, ID number, password or social security number.
- Never send anyone your banking or credit card information, even if they seem to be calling from your bank. Remember that your bank will never contact you asking for private information.
- Never send money to anyone you meet online.
- Never click any links to websites you don’t recognize, as they may take you to a website that will compromise your computer’s security.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 4.
Explore Supported Decision-Making (SDM).
There are adults in your life who can help support you to make choices to lead your best life. Supported Decision-Making (SDM) is different from guardianship, as it allows you to keep your own rights while still receiving support from others.
These support team members can help by filling out forms, helping with the research or even being with you in the meetings to set up accounts or auto payments for bills.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 5.
Determine eligibility for ABLE account.
An Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account is a state-run savings program for people with disabilities that can help you and your family save for expenses related to your disability.
There are a few criteria for establishing an ABLE account:
- If you are receiving benefits under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) before age 26;
- If you are entitled to disability insurance benefits (DIB), childhood disability benefits (CDB) or disabled widow’s or widower’s benefits (DWB) based on disability or blindness that began before age 26; or
- If you are someone who has certified, or whose parent or guardian has certified, that you met the criteria for a disability certification before age 26.
ABLE accounts are still being rolled out across the country and the national ABLE Resource Center can connect you with local resources.
