Four out of five (83 per cent) families caring for a disabled loved one believe the Government is not doing enough to support them during the current cost-of-living crisis, according to new research by the disability charity Sense. It comes as the charity announce a new emergency fund for children or adults with complex disabilities living with their families.
A thousand families from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland will receive a £500 grant from Sense ahead of the autumn. It’s the first time in the charity’s history, which spans more than six decades, which they’ve provided emergency financial support on this scale.
Sense polled more than one thousand families with a disabled child or adult in their household across the UK, and nearly three quarters (72 per cent) said they have been pushed into debt this year due to increases to food and energy prices. More than half (55 per cent) admitted to borrowing money from friends and family to pay bills, with two in five (40 per cent) saying they will go without food to save money.
More than three quarters (77 per cent) said the financial pressure is affecting their mental health. Eight in ten (87 per cent) households want to see more targeted financial support for disabled people.
Sense is offering the financial assistance to families through its services. In addition, the scheme is extended to children and adults with complex disabilities supported by other specialist charities, such as Rett UK, Batten Disease Association and Zellweger. Sense says demand for the service has been huge.
Richard Kramer, Sense Chief Executive, said: “Disabled people and their families have told us that they are frustrated by the lack of urgency from Government in tackling the cost-of-living crisis.
“Sense felt that we needed to step in and set up an Emergency Fund to help people who are struggling now to pay for their essentials. We have already seen huge demand for support, which reflects the massive cost-of-living challenges facing the individuals we support and their families.
“We know it will make a huge difference to those who receive it, but it’s not a long-term solution, and there are many more disabled people and families across the country that need support at this time. Our research illustrates the desperate everyday reality of disabled households across the UK, who are in debt and facing impossible decisions such as whether to eat or heat their homes.
“Everyone is affected by rising prices, but disabled households are one of the hardest hit because of their circumstances. Many are in poverty, less likely to be in full-time work and face higher costs for energy for essential equipment and the additional costs of disability.
“The next Prime Minister must recognise the impact this crisis is having on disabled households and provide long-term financial support.”
Sense have partnered with national charity Turn2us to administrate the grant applications. Turn2us helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.
Jules Tompkins, Senior Programme Manager at national poverty charity Turn2us, commented: “For families living with a loved-one with complex disabilities, receiving a charitable grant can be a lifeline in helping them cope financially. Every day we hear from disabled people about the impact grants can have and we are pleased to be working with Sense to ensure disabled people and their families receive vital financial support as the cost of living continues to spiral.
“We know disabled people will be amongst those hardest hit by soaring costs. Therefore, it is crucial that in the longer-term, reforms are made to both our economy and social security system to stop the growing inequalities in our society, and to ensure people to have enough money to live on.”
Case study
Jade Cotton, 35, from Birmingham has received financial support from the Sense cost-of-living fund. She lives with her husband Andy and the couple have been struggling with rising costs, borrowing money from family and making use of their overdrafts.
Jade Cotton said: “I use an electric wheelchair and can’t afford to charge it every night. My mental health is impacted because we cannot afford to go out like we used to – we hardly go out at all anymore.”
Jade says the fund will pay off the electricity bill, which previously Andy’s parents have helped with. She calls for the Government to do more.
She added: “The Sense support fund has helped us to pay the electric bill of £416. The Government must do more to support disabled people and their families - why leave it to the charities to help people out?”
Over 30 thousand people have signed a Sense petition calling for long-term financial support for disabled people and their families, including an increase to benefits and the reinstatement of the Warm Home Discount.
