How To Budget With No, Low, or Fixed Disability Income

Budgeting is easy when you have plenty of money and few expenses. It’s harder to make cuts when income is limited. On a low-income or fixed income, most of your money goes toward necessities. This can leave you with nothing to save or invest.

Many people living on disability benefits struggle to save anything extra after paying for their daily needs. Since income caps could disqualify you from certain benefits, it may seem like there are no incentives to save money. If you have questions about disability benefits, seek the help of a Social Security disability lawyer.

How Can You Save With Disability Benefits?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 39 million Americans were living in poverty in 2022. Poverty is often caused by multiple issues. This can include disability, unemployment, medical emergencies, or social injustice. Even with government benefits, you may not have enough to provide for your family.

According to the National Disability Institute, 27% of adults with disabilities are living in poverty. That’s more than twice the rate for adults without a disability (12%). Having a disability can cause poverty because you may be unable to earn an income.

Tips for Staying on Track

Have you tried keeping a budget or tracking your expenses? Keeping a log of where your money goes can help you keep things in perspective. You may not realize just how much money you’re spending until you add it up at the end of the month.

Once you know your total monthly income and monthly expenses, you can establish your monthly budget. Free money management apps can help you keep track of your spending and savings. You may want to use leftover money to pay off credit card debt or other high-interest accounts. You can also set aside money for an emergency fund. This can help you have a safety net for unexpected expenses.

Can You Make Extra Money While on Disability?

You may be able to start your own business, earn money from investments, or do a side hustle to get extra money. However, you must be careful to make sure your self-employment isn’t substantial gainful activity. Earned income over the minimum monthly income could jeopardize your state or federal benefits.

Social Security has programs to help you seek alternative employment and income while still being able to get benefits. This includes:

• The Trial Work Period (TWP)
• Extended Period of Eligibility (EPE)
• Ticket to Work Program (TWP)
• Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS)

If you are making extra money while on disability, you have to make sure it doesn’t qualify as countable income. Too much countable income and substantial gainful activity can disqualify you from benefits.

How Much Can You Get in Disability Benefits?

Workers can qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) after paying into the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you have enough work credits, you can get monthly benefits if your medical conditions stop you from working. Your benefit amount depends on your work record. The more money you make over a longer period, the higher your monthly Social Security benefit amount. In 2025, the maximum SSDI benefit is $4,018 per month.

You may be able to get additional government benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you have limited assets and low income, you can qualify for SSI benefits. The maximum benefit in 2025 is $967 for an eligible individual and $1,450 for couples.

Most people with qualifying disabilities can also get healthcare insurance through Medicare. Medicare covers people after they’re eligible to receive SSDI for two years.

Unemployed After a Work Injury?

Workers’ compensation laws provide benefits for workers injured on the job. This includes medical expenses for the injury and partial wage replacement benefits. Most workers can claim these benefits when they need to, but not everyone takes advantage of them. Employers may discourage you from making a claim. Or they may improperly deny valid claims. Make sure you’re getting the benefits you deserve if you were injured at work.

Can You Get Medicaid, SNAP, and CHIP Benefits?

Many federal and state benefits help low-income families. Many eligible families don’t know about them. These programs are there to help you and your family. Sign up to get the benefits and care you deserve.

Medicaid helps with healthcare costs for some people with limited income who aren’t eligible for Medicaid. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides healthcare benefits for children in low-income households.

SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program are federal government programs that help with access to food and nutritional support. The Child Nutrition Program also provides reduced-cost or free lunches to school children.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash benefits to help low-income families with children achieve self-sufficiency. TANF is a state-level program providing cash assistance payments and other services.

How Can a Social Security Disability Lawyer Help With Benefits?

Your budget boils down to money in minus money out. Even small changes in your spending habits can start to add up. However, you should do what you can to maximize the benefits you are eligible to receive. If the SSA denies your disability claim, don’t give up. A Social Security disability lawyer can help you get your benefits.