Up to six million disabled people will soon start to receive £150 from the government to help with the rising cost of living.
The government said within a couple of weeks of the rollout date, on 20 September, the majority of eligible recipients will receive the cash in their accounts.
The payment is part of a wider package of measures introduced to help with the sharply rising cost of energy and food.
Other measures include a £650 payment for low-income households (eight million in total); a £300 payment for pensioner households (eight million in total); and a £400 energy grant for all households.
The one-off £150 payment for disabled people is intended to help them with rising prices and the extra costs they face, such as for care and specialist equipment.
Chloe Smith, minister for Disabled People, Health, and Work, said the government was providing the support because it understood that disabled people could face additional costs.
She said: “This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1,200 most low-income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support targeted at disabled people, including help with transport and prescription costs.
“We know it’s a worrying time for some people, and I’d urge them to check they are getting all the support on offer.”
‘Won’t touch the side’
However, critics say the support will not go far enough with household bills set to rise further this winter.
Tom Marsland, Policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, said: “Scope has been inundated with calls from disabled people who have been forced to make dire cutbacks on personal care, hygiene, food and energy because of rampaging inflation.
“This is having a devastating impact on disabled people’s lives, and the support from government just won’t touch the side.
“Life costs more if you’re disabled, which is why the government must get more financial support to disabled people now, to stop millions being pushed deeper into destitution.”
The typical gas and electricity bill has been forecast to hit £4,650 a year in January; bills are also expected to go up to £3,554 a year from October.
Research by Scope earlier this year found disabled people in England and Wales were twice as likely to live in poverty, more than twice as likely to live in a cold house they could not afford to heat, and three times more likely to be unable to afford food.
Image credit: Lucky Business/Shutterstock
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