People with Disabilities and COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments

To offset the financial burden of COVID-19, Congress authorized stimulus payments. Because people with disabilities (PWD) incur disability-related costs, these payments likely did not offer the same economic security as for people without disabilities (PWOD). Using the Census Household Pulse Survey, this study examined how PWD and PWOD used their stimulus. Controlling for income and other characteristics, PWD were significantly more likely to spend their checks on basic needs, like food and rent, and less likely to spend on second-order items like charity or savings. These results suggest that future stimulus efforts should consider an increased amount for PWD.