Abstract
Adults with a developmental disability who currently receive SSI are living below the Federal Poverty Level (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2015). The purpose of this study was to explore poverty perceptions among adults with a developmental disability and assess if this population recognizes that they are living in poverty. This quantitative survey research study administered 25 questionnaires to adults with developmental disabilities in the Sacramento region. The sampling method utilized for this study was purposive sampling. The study revealed that many adults with developmental disabilities do not recognize that they live in poverty. However, the relationship between living with a caregiver and respondents statement that they do not consider themselves poor was statistically significant in the chi-square test. Implications for social work practice and policy are discussed.