This paper examines the relationship between disability and poverty at a healthdemographic surveillance site in Viet Nam using alternative measures of disability severity. Analysis of the site population (n ¼ 65 400) is combined with interviews of 27 households containing members with disabilities. Results show that disability severity is positively associated with poverty. Results support recent efforts of the Vietnamese government to extend programmes of social protection for households containing members with severe disabilities. However, a higher level of disability targeting is required, both in terms of eligibility and of benefit levels.