What is the cost of living crisis? 

The cost of living crisis is the increase in the cost of everyday expenses, such as energy, food, and housing. It occurs when prices rise faster than incomes, making it harder for people to afford basic needs. 

While the crisis is widespread across the country, disabled people are disproportionately affected, with some reports estimating that disabled households spend on average £975 more each month than non-disabled households. 

For many of us, the additional financial pressures can make managing daily expenses seem daunting. In this article, we’ll provide practical ways to access financial support, reduce daily costs, and make use of the digital tools available – even for those less familiar with technology. 

What financial support is available? 

For those of us facing budgeting challenges, it’s important to explore the financial support that we might be eligible for.  This support can come in various forms, including benefits and programmes that help reduce specific costs. 

• Benefits
• Help with Bills
• Transport Discounts
• Managing Everyday Costs
• Budgeting Tools
• Cutting Energy Costs
• Keeping Food Costs in Check
• Getting Help with Debt and Finances
• Getting Involved

Benefits

When managing the cost of living, government benefits can provide essential support and help with everyday expenses to those who need it most. Understanding what you’re eligible for and how to apply can make a significant difference in managing your finances. 

1. Personal Independence Payment (PIP): 

Who it’s for: Individuals aged 16 to state pension age who need help due to long-term illness, disability, or mental health conditions. PIP is only for residents of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland; for residents of Scotland, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is available instead.  

What it does: Helps with daily living and mobility costs, providing between £28.70 and £184.30 a week for successful applicants. 

How to apply: Residents of England and Wales can begin their claim online at Gov.uk or call the PIP claim line on 0800 917 22 22. Organisations like Citizens Advice can help with filling out the form correctly. Or check out our guide to PIP here. Residents of Scotland can call the ADP general help line on 0800 182 2222 or visit the Mygov.scot website.   

2. Attendance Allowance: 

Who it’s for: Individuals aged state pension age who have a disability or health condition that requires ongoing help with personal care or supervision to stay safe. 

What it does: Provides financial support of £72.65 or £108.55 a week to help with personal care costs, depending on the level of need. 

How to apply: Request a claim form by calling the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 or download it from Gov.uk. Complete the form with details of how your condition affects your daily life. Organisations like Age UK can assist with completing the form.  

3. Universal Credit (UC): 

Who it’s for: People aged between 18 and state pension age who are on a low income or out of work, and who live in the UK. It is also available to those with a disability, caring responsibilities, or other specific needs.  

What it does: Provides monthly payments to help with living costs, combining six benefits (Income Support, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, and Employment and Support Allowance) into one. Payment amounts vary depending on individual circumstances. 

How to apply: You can start your claim for Universal Credit online through the Gov.uk website. You’ll need details such as your National Insurance number; bank account information; and details about your income and savings. 

4. Pension Credit: 

Who it’s for: People of state pension age who are on a low income and live in the UK. It can also provide additional financial support for those with disabilities, caring responsibilities, or certain housing costs. 

What it does: Helps pensioners with their living costs by topping up their income to a minimum level. It may also provide additional payments for those with severe disabilities, carers, or those responsible for a dependent. If you receive Pension Credit, you may also qualify for Housing Benefit to help with rent costs, as well as Council Tax Reduction and other financial support. 

How to apply: Applications can be made online through the Gov.uk website, by phone, or by post. You’ll need details such as your National Insurance number, bank account information, and details about your income, savings, and pension. If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also apply for Housing Benefit through your local council. 

5. Council Tax Support (Council Tax Reduction): 

Who it’s for: People on a low income, receiving benefits, or with disabilities who need help reducing their Council Tax bill.  

What it does: Provides a discount or full exemption on Council Tax for eligible applicants. The amount of support varies depending on income, household circumstances, and local council rules. 

How to apply: Applications are made through your local council. You can check your eligibility and apply through the Council Tax Reduction section on Gov.uk or directly on your local council’s website. 

6. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for Children:

Who it’s for: Children under 16 who have extra care or mobility needs due to disability, illness, or a long-term health condition. For residents of Scotland, DLA for children has been replaced with the similar benefit of Child Disability Payment.  

What it does: Provides between £28.70 and £184.30 a week, depending on how much help the child needs with care or mobility. 

How to apply: You can apply by post using the DLA claim form from Gov.uk or request a form by calling the Disability Living Allowance helpline on 0800 121 4600. Residents of Scotland can call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. 

7. Employment and Support Allowance (ESA):

Who it’s for: Individuals aged 16 or over but below State Pension age who have a disability or health condition that limits their ability to work. ESA is available to both employed and self-employed individuals who cannot work due to illness or disability. 

What it does: Provides financial support to those unable to work and offers personalized help to get back into work to people who are able to.   

How to apply: Apply online through Gov.uk or call the ESA helpline on 0800 055 6688 to request a paper form. You may need to attend a Work Capability Assessment to determine eligibility. 

8. Carer’s Allowance: 

Who it’s for: Individuals who care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and the person they care for receives a qualifying disability benefit (such as PIP or DLA). You do not need to be related to or live with the person you care for. For residents of Scotland, carer’s allowance has been replaced with Carer Support Payment. 

What it does: Provides £81.90 per week to help unpaid carers who support someone with a disability. Receiving Carer’s Allowance may affect other benefits for both the carer and the person they care for. How to apply: Apply online via Gov.uk or request a paper form by calling the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 0800 731 0297. Residents of Scotland can call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.  

Help With Bills 

For many people, household bills represent a significant portion of monthly expenses, and rising costs can quickly become challenging to manage. But there are various schemes and programs available to ease the burden by reducing energy, water, and housing-related expenses.   

1. Warm Home Discount: 

• Who it’s for: Low-income households, including those receiving certain benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or other qualifying benefits. It is also available for people with a disability or those who have high energy needs. 
• What it does: Provides a one-off discount of £150 on electricity bills during the winter months (usually from October to March) to help with heating costs. 
• How to apply: If you’re eligible, your energy supplier will automatically apply the discount to your bill. However, some suppliers may require you to apply for the scheme. Check with your energy provider for their process.  

2. WaterSure Scheme:  

• Who it’s for: Households on certain benefits or with a disability or long-term health condition who use a lot of water due to their needs (e.g., medical conditions requiring extra water usage).  
• What it does: Caps water bills for qualifying households to help reduce costs.  
• How to apply: Contact your water supplier to find out if you qualify and apply. You’ll need proof of income and your medical condition, if applicable.  

3. Discretionary Housing Payments:

• Who it’s for: Individuals receiving housing benefit or Universal Credit who are struggling to pay rent due to circumstances like disability or illness. 
• What it does: Provides extra financial help with rent, when benefits are not enough. 
• How to apply: Apply through your local council. You will need to provide details about your financial situation, including income and expenses. 

4. Social Tariffs:

• Who it’s for: Individuals receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or certain other benefits who need access to affordable broadband and phone services. 
• What it does: Provides cheaper broadband and mobile phone packages to help low-income households stay connected. These tariffs work the same as standard packages but at a reduced price.  
• How to apply: You can apply through your local council. You will need to provide details about your financial situation, including income and expenses. 

Transport Discounts

Getting around can be a significant expense, especially for those of us who may need to attend various medical appointments or those who rely on public transport more frequently. 

But there are discounts and schemes specifically designed to make travel more affordable. These initiatives aim to reduce transport costs, ensuring that disabled people can access the services and opportunities we need without financial strain. 

1. Disabled Persons Railcard:

• Who it’s for: People with a disability that affects their ability to travel. This includes individuals with physical or mental health conditions.  
• What it does: Offers a third off most rail fares across the UK for disabled individuals and a companion.  
• How to apply: Apply online at Gov.uk, or by post. You’ll need proof of your disability (e.g., a doctor’s note) and personal details. 

2. Bus Pass Schemes: 

• Who it’s for: Disabled people who need help with transport. Eligibility varies by local authority. 
• What it does: Provides free or discounted bus travel to those who qualify due to disability. 
• How to apply: Contact your local council or visit their website to check eligibility and apply as different councils may have different criteria. 

Managing everyday costs 

Managing finances can be difficult when your outgoings are rising and your income isn’t. Budgeting is key to managing limited resources, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. There are tools available that can help you track income and manage expenses. 

Budgeting tools 

1. AbilityNet 

There are plenty of apps out there that can help with budgeting. If you’re unfamiliar with using apps or you find digital tools aren’t always that easy to use, then don’t worry – organisations like AbilityNet are on hand to help. 

They offer free support for disabled people and can help guide you through the process of setting up and navigating digital tools. 

Whether you’re having issues with downloading an app or need help understanding how to categorize your spending, AbilityNet’s experts can assist you in improving your digital confidence and making these tools more accessible. 

2. MoneyHelper 

Free apps like MoneyHelper can help you track your income and spending with ease, giving you the insights needed to stay on top of your finances. 

MoneyHelper can simplify the budgeting process by categorizing expenses, helping you identify areas where you can save, and offers visual tools to better understand your financial situation.  

You can find more information on their website by clicking here. 

Cutting energy costs

Rising energy costs are a concern for many of us. But there are resources and schemes designed to help reduce energy bills and improve energy efficiency. From government programs to comparison tools and advice services, these options can provide much-needed support to ensure homes stay warm and energy costs remain manageable. 

1. Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 

The ECO is a government scheme that helps low-income, fuel-poor, and vulnerable households heat their homes. They can assist by installing insulation into houses that need it or upgrading boilers to help reduce energy usage. More information on how this works can be found on the gov.uk website here. 

2. Energy Helpline 

Energy Helpline is a service that helps consumers find the best energy deals for their homes, aiming to lower energy costs. 

The energy market can be complex, but Energy Helpline can assist in comparing different tariffs and finding the most cost-effective options based on individual usage and needs. 

Energy Helpline may also provide support with accessing government schemes or discounts available, helping people manage their energy costs more effectively. 

3. Citizen’s Advice

Citizen’s Advice also offers lots of guidance and energy advice such as how to access fuel vouchers if you can’t top up your prepayment meter or getting help if you’re behind on energy bills. Their energy advice page can be accessed here. 

4. Help to Save

Help to Save is a government-backed savings scheme designed to help people on Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit build their savings. It provides a bonus of 50p for every £1 saved over four years, making it a secure way to grow savings. 

You can save between £1 and £50 per calendar month. You don’t need to save every month if you’re unable to. 

What’s more, bonuses are paid at the end of the second and fourth year. The bonuses are based on how much you’ve saved. 

You can apply online through the Gov.uk website if you meet the eligibility criteria. The account remains open for four years, after which savings can be withdrawn. 

Keeping food costs in check

The most essential of all outgoings is food, and with prices rising, it can seem difficult to manage a weekly budget. But there are ways we can make our money go further.  

1. Discount food apps 

Apps like OLIO and Too Good To Go connect users with free or discounted surplus food in your area. These apps allow people to share or purchase leftover food from local businesses or neighbours, offering a cost-effective way to access meals or ingredients.  

If you’d like support in using these apps, you can contact AbilityNet to help guide you through them. 

2. Pantries and food banks 

Community pantries and food banks, available through your local council or organizations like the Trussell Trust, offer vital support to individuals facing financial hardship. These services provide free or low-cost food to help those in need, ensuring access to essential items during difficult times. 

A comprehensive list of pantries and food banks in your local area – as well as community meals and community fridges – can be found on Scope’s website.  

3. Household Support Fund (HSF) 

The Household Support Fund (HSF) offers emergency financial assistance to individuals and families facing financial difficulties, particularly with essential costs like food, energy bills, and household supplies.  

Each local council has its own way of distributing the funds, often through vouchers, grants, or direct payments, to help those in need. 

To find out if you qualify for support, you can contact your local council or check their website for more information on how to apply for this fund. 

4. Budget-friendly recipes 

For those of us who prefer the comfort of a homecooked meal, there are websites that have a range of ideas for nutritious, low-cost recipes. 

Websites like beatthebudget.com not only provide recipes and methods for low-cost meals, but they also break down the costs of ingredients for easier budgeting. 

Getting help with debt and finances

Managing debt during a cost of living crisis can feel overwhelming, but there are dedicated services available to provide guidance and help you take control of your finances. 

If you’re struggling with debt, support organizations like StepChange or the National Debtline offer free, confidential advice.  

Additionally, Turn2Us provides a benefits calculator to ensure you’re receiving all the financial support you’re entitled to and can connect you with grants for specific needs.  

Getting involved 

If you feel strongly about the challenges disabled people face during the cost of living crisis, you can advocate for change. 

Joining charity campaigns to improve financial support for disabled people is a great way to get involved and make a difference.  

Sharing your story is too. By writing to MPs or participating in consultations, you can amplify your voice and make it heard.  

Disability Law Service offers legal guidance on a range of issues affecting disabled people and their carers. Contact us today to access the support available.