"Disabled people and their families are at breaking point.
Even before the cost of living crisis, life was more expensive for disabled people. Many face essential extra costs like specialist equipment, insurance and therapies.
77% of disabled people don’t know how they’ll cope if prices continue to rise.
This means they’re more vulnerable to the current soaring energy, fuel and food costs.
The financial support offered by the government is not enough. Disabled people and their families need long-term, ongoing support to protect them from massive debt. Join us in demanding more."…
A benefits system that meets disabled people’s needs
Benefits should be urgently increased in line with inflation, so families don’t get left behind.
More financial support to cope with higher energy costs
This includes reinstating the Warm Home Discount for disabled people and their families, giving them £150 off their energy bills in winter. In 2022, the government made changes to the eligibility criteria which means that 300,000 disabled people are now paying more – we’re asking for this to be reversed.
Targeted support for disabled children and their families
The government must recognise, and respond to, the unique pressures faced by disabled people and their families.
Why the government must do more
In May 2022, the government announced that all households would get a one-off reduction of £400 on energy bills. It also announced that everyone on means-tested benefits would receive a one-time payment of £650, and those on disability benefits would receive a one-off payment of £150.
62% of disabled people and their families say they’ve had to choose between heating and eating in the last year.
One-off payments are helpful, but they’re not enough to address the long-term challenges that disabled people and their families face.
Without more support, many disabled people could be driven to cut back on essentials like food, heating and life-saving equipment."
https://www.sense.org.uk/get-involved/campaign/cost-of-living/