Investigating the Impact of COVID-19 on Future Financial Planning for People with Disabilities

People with disabilities in the U.S. have historically been underemployed and underpaid, limiting their ability to save for their futures. The National Leadership Consortium interviewed 40 adults and family members of people with disabilities to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the spending and saving habits of people with disabilities and how it affected their future financial planning. Findings showed that the pandemic intensified existing economic standings, with some facing more systemic and personal barriers that negatively impacted their ability to engage in future financial planning, while others were afforded more time and money to plan for their futures. Recommendations for government entities and the financial, legal, and disabilities fields are presented.