Financial Social Work: A Primer.

This article provides an overview of financial social work (FSW), a field that integrates social work's empowerment and social justice principles with financial capability and asset building (FCAB) to address financial instability, poverty, and economic inequality. FSW employs multidisciplinary approaches, including behavioral finance and financial therapy, to support marginalized populations through personalized interventions, community development, and policy advocacy. The field emphasizes holistic assessment and education, incorporating culturally sensitive practices for diverse groups such as unhoused individuals, survivors of abuse, and immigrants. Emerging trends in FSW include the use of technology, trauma-informed financial therapy, and guaranteed income programs, alongside calls for expanded education, professional training, and integration of financial competence into social work ethics and policy frameworks.