Poverty is an issue for many people living with disabilities. Often a mental health diagnosis and its accompanying symptoms bar us from employment and earnings, at least for a while. Sometimes lack of money leads to sub-standard living; decent accommodations, healthy nutrition and disposable income are all seemingly out of reach for many British Columbians living with a disability. In Canada people with disabilities have access to financial assistance programs both at the federal and provincial levels. Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits (CPPD) is a federal program and, here in BC, the newly named Ministry of Housing and Social Development offers Persons With Disabilities benefits. When applying for these types of financial assistance it is a sound idea to have an advocacy organization help you complete applications, or at least review your application before you send it in. Often advocates are more aware of the language and criterion for benefits and can enhance your application, giving it more chance for approval.

Not everyone with a disability lives in poverty. Many of us are diagnosed later in life and have financial assets that need to be protected and nurtured. The symptoms of some mood disorders or mental illnesses can include reckless spending. If spending is a problem for you, a good decision might be to find a way to limit your own access to your assets when you notice your desire to spend. Retirement funds, joint accounts with someone you trust and other forced savings plans might be the way to go to make sure your money survives your mood! The key to sound financial planning is to make sure you are as well as you can be when you are making these kinds of decisions. Again, it helps to have professional advice and guidance as you plan to manage your money. For those who are entirely incapable of managing their money, perhaps a trustee is an option. Public and private trustees manage the daily financial affairs for someone who is totally incapable of acting in their best interests regarding money and paying of bills.

It is up to us to protect our assets and our income. By protecting your money when you are well you are increasing your chances of keeping your money when you are unwell.