Cost of Living payment launches to help disabled people with higher disability-related costs

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that the one-off £150 Disability Cost of Living payment has launched to help disabled people with the rising cost of living, acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as for care and mobility needs.

Around six million disabled people in the UK will start to receive their Cost of Living payment. Those who had confirmed payment of their disability benefit for 25 May will receive the £150 automatically, with the vast majority to be paid by early October.

Kwasi Kwarteng, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “The government is providing vital support to shield the most vulnerable from rising prices caused by global economic challenges.

“From today, a one-off £150 payment will automatically land in over six million disabled peoples’ accounts. This is in addition to the decisive action we took last week to hold down energy bills over the next two years, saving the average household £1,000 a year.

“The government is standing behind people this winter, and in the longer term we are focusing on driving economic growth – the only way to permanently boost everyone’s living standards.”

Payments are part of the government’s wider £37 billion support package, including the Energy Price Guarantee and cost of living payments totaling £650.

The £37 billion support package will see millions of households receive at least £1,200 this year to help cover rising costs. The decision follows the Prime Minister’s announcement of a new Energy Price Guarantee for the next two winters saving households on average £1,000 a year on their energy bills.

Leaders from across the assistive technology, disability, and health and social care sectors responded to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak’s delivery of the Spring Statement 2022 to Parliament.