Financial Health Equity Project

Louisville residents now have access to financial coaches and counselors with a greater understanding of disability benefits through the Financial Health Equity project hosted through the Office of Financial Empowerment. Through partnership with the National Disability Institute and Wells Fargo; financial providers went through a multi-week course to understand the financial intricacies to those looking to receive or receiving SSI and/or SSDI.

Obtaining a certificate of completion in the Effective Financial Counseling for People Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits training has allowed these providers to produce a hard-to-come-by resource throughout Louisville. The intricacies of disability benefits, and the limitations put in place to receive them, mean that training is required to understand how to maximize income and create a financial situation in which clients can save, reduce debt, and improve their credit.

According to the National Disability Institute, the poverty rate for adults with disabilities is more than twice the rate of adults with no disability. Furthermore, people of color with disabilities seem to face double marginalization, discrimination and stigma that lead to poor socioeconomic outcomes. This has led to an environment where almost 40 percent of African Americans with disabilities live in poverty, compared with 24 percent of Non-Hispanic Whites, 29 percent of Latinos and 19 percent of Asians. The Financial Health Equity project aims to reduce the disparity and wealth gap that exists between people with disabilities and more specifically, people of color with disabilities.

Check out our 3 trained providers below:

Financial coaching with a focus on building savings and improving overall financial empowerment. AcceLOUrate Savings is built for clients who are looking for long-term support. The program specializes in building relationships with their clients to make sure that they can help in the way that works best for you.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be 18+ and live in Jefferson County

Location: Various Neighborhood Places but coaches can meet anywhere publicly in Louisville, by phone, or virtually

To sign-up: Visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/a… and view their sign-up survey

Financial counseling tailored to the client. After an initial Needs Assessment, the best fitting programs are selected. These include topics such as credit, student loans, debt, and more. They offer short and long-term services, and their programs are geared towards a specific goal.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be 18+

Location: All appointments virtual

To sign-up: Call (502) 267-8038 or email [email protected], both of these methods of contact are specific to the Financial Health Equity project

Financial counseling sessions with a focus on safe/affordable banking, improving credit, reducing debt, and increasing savings. This program is built for short or long-term clients and has a focus on providing a judgement free zone where all sessions are tailored to the individuals' needs.

Eligibility Requirements: Must be 18+ and live in Jefferson County

Location: Louisville Urban League

1535 W Broadway Louisville, KY 40203

Phone/virtual appointments available

To sign-up: visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/s…