It’s a matter of fact that people living with disabilities almost always have a higher cost of living than your average American. The worst part is that disabled adults also tend to be on the lower end of the income scale.

Making ends meet when you’re unable to work can easily present itself as an impossible situation, but there are some solutions. Take a moment to consider a few helpful finance tips for disabled Americans, and consider how you might make some moves to better your situation.

Make sure you’re getting what’s owed

Depending on your situation, there are likely ways in which you qualify for financial assistance. Don’t procrastinate in this area, and get the money you deserve. Healthcare programs like Medicaid offer no-cost or low-cost healthcare coverage. Of course, Medicaid is known differently in different states. If you hail from California, you might hear it as “Medi-Cal”, and if you want to learn more about it, you can find out here.

Regular health coverages like Medicare and Medicaid might not be suited for those who were not born with a disability. For instance, if you were injured by the fault of someone else (or a business), then you can file a personal injury lawsuit against that individual (or business) to receive financial compensation for your troubles.

Cut out any unnecessary costs

Take an honest look at how you spend your money over a period of time, and eliminate any unnecessary expenses. You may have a subscription you don’t really use, a candy addiction you could do without, or some other frivolous spending habits.

It’s important that you’re honest with yourself, and you allow yourself to downsize your financial commitments. You’ll see an immediate benefit from your willingness to reduce costs.

Write out a detailed monthly budget

Once you’ve trimmed the fat on your spending habits, use the information you’ve gathered to create an in-depth monthly budget. Your budget should include a “savings” section, alongside the essentials for your life.

Consider the cost of your medications and other medical treatments you will need on a regular basis. Consider an emergency fund as a separate entity from your savings account. You can never be too careful when it comes to money.

Protect yourself against theft

The elderly and disabled are at high risk for fraud, theft, and various scams. It’s important that you educate yourself on the latest methods, and update your financial security protection as you learn. Stay in the know in terms of financial security.

Learn to tell family members no

Family members can be the worst weight affecting your personal finances. If you’re a bit too charitable to your blood, you may need to consider scaling back on your generosity.

You also need to make certain that you don’t place yourself in a position to get ripped off by your family members. You may not think it’s possible, but there are far too many instances where family members are the main culprit in ripping off their disabled loved ones. Always keep a watchful eye.