WASHINGTON, April 24, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Today,
National Disability Institute (NDI) launched the Financial
Resilience Center, an online comprehensive education and
information hub for people with disabilities and those with chronic
health conditions. Provided at no cost, information is organized
under six resource areas: employment/unemployment, COVID-19
stimulus, money management, public benefits,
housing/food/healthcare and scams, with additional emphasis on
federal guidance/policy and community-based resources.
With support from the Wells Fargo Foundation, the goal of the
Center is to promote effective financial decision making and
stability in response to the adverse economic consequences of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Key collaborators of the Center include LifeCents and the
Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education®
(AFCPE®). The LifeCents financial health platform provides each
participant with personalized guidance, resources and referrals to
services relevant to that individual's situation. Referrals to
AFCPE professionals with disability-related counseling competencies
will also be available for those needing one-on-one counseling or
coaching to help assess their financial situation, evaluate
trade-off decisions and plan for any financial challenges
ahead.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a great deal of physical,
mental and financial uncertainty for many in the U.S., particularly
those with disabilities and chronic health conditions. In response,
the Center will provide accurate and current information and
resources, including helpful tools, to increase financial stability
and reduce economic stress. The intent is to empower people with
disabilities to acquire personal finance knowledge, improve
financial habits and gain the confidence needed to navigate
economic uncertainty now and in the future.
"For people with disabilities, chronic health conditions and
seniors, the immediate and longer-term health risks
of the COVID-19 pandemic are considerable, exacerbated by
economic conditions that further inflate financial instability
and insecurity," said Elizabeth
Jennings, National Disability Institute Acting Executive
Director. "The current circumstances – the stock market
losses, shrinking retirement assets, lost wages from furloughs
and layoffs and increased healthcare and everyday living costs –
are creating a 'perfect storm' for individual financial
stress. Now more than ever, this financially fragile
community needs access to helpful information and support to
make good financial decisions."
"This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) and, for generations, the disability rights
movement has fought for equality and accessibility," said
Kathy Martinez, head of Disability
& Accessibility Strategy for Wells Fargo. "The Financial
Resilience Center bridges the gap between financial distress and
accessible resources for people with disabilities."
"The COVID-19 pandemic has created an extraordinarily volatile
and challenging economic environment that has highlighted the
extreme financial fragility of the most vulnerable populations,"
said LifeCents Founder and CEO Blake
Allison. "Wells Fargo's generous support of the Financial
Resilience Center is a much needed remedy for people with
disabilities and chronic health conditions in these unprecedented
times. We are inspired to be working in partnership with NDI, AFCPE
and their incredible teams who are bringing this much needed
resource to life."
"At AFCPE, we believe that all people – regardless of income or
background – deserve access to the highest standard of financial
guidance," said Rebecca Wiggins,
AFCPE Executive Director. "We are proud to partner with NDI on this
important initiative and to provide people with disabilities the
opportunity to meet virtually with a qualified financial counselor
or coach. AFCPE certified professionals have the rigorous education
and experience to be able to meet people where they are, and help
navigate a person's specific situation and unique needs."
People with disabilities and chronic health conditions and
their family members represent a disproportionately
high share of vulnerable groups at increased risk for severe
complications and death from COVID-19. As
a group, this population is also more likely to be
unemployed, underemployed, socially isolated and
without emergency funds to meet immediate financial needs
(rent, food, necessities, etc.). The Financial Resilience Center
offers a range of services – from information to education to
counseling – to meet the unique needs of this population and their
families.
Visit the Financial Resilience Center.
About National Disability Institute
National
Disability Institute (NDI) is a national nonprofit
organization dedicated to building a better financial future for
people with disabilities and their families. The first national
organization committed exclusively to championing economic
empowerment, financial education, asset development and financial
stability for all persons with disabilities, NDI affects change
through public education, policy development, training, technical
assistance and innovative initiatives. To learn more, visit
www.nationaldisabilityinstitute.org. Engage with NDI on
Facebook: @NationalDisability or follow NDI on Twitter:
@NatDisability.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a
diversified, community-based financial services company with
$1.98 trillion in assets. Wells
Fargo's vision is to satisfy our
customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially.
Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San
Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, investment and
mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial
finance, through 7,400 locations, more than 13,000 ATMs, the
internet (wellsfargo.com) and mobile banking, and has offices in 31
countries and territories to support customers who conduct business
in the global economy. With approximately 263,000 team members,
Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on
Fortune's 2019 rankings of America's largest corporations. News,
insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available
at Wells Fargo Stories.
Additional information may be found at
www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter:
@WellsFargo.
About LifeCents
LifeCents is a financial wellness
company that empowers people to acquire the knowledge, build the
habits and gain the confidence they need to make smarter everyday
decisions. The LifeCents financial wellness platform helps people
become financially aware, savvy and engaged, which is of great
value to businesses and communities. For more information on
LifeCents, visit www.lifecents.com.
About AFCPE
The Association for Financial
Counseling and Planning
Education® (AFCPE®) ensures
the highest integrity of the financial counseling profession by
certifying, connecting and supporting diverse professionals. Our
comprehensive certification programs represent the gold standard
for financial counseling, coaching and education, including the
AFC® (Accredited Financial
Counselor®) certification which is accredited by
NCCA and nationally recognized by CFPB and Department of Defense.
Visit www.afcpe.org for more information.
Media Contact: Kathleen
Brannigan, 917-647-4430, kbrannigan@ndi-inc.org
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SOURCE National Disability Institute