Disabled people will begin to receive their £150 Cost of Living payment from today, with the majority of payments expected to be received by early October.
Around six million are set to receive the one-off payment, which will be paid automatically in the same way you usually receive your benefit or tax credits.
The government hopes that the payment will 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.
However, while this payment will go some way to reducing financial pressures on disabled people, the disability charity Sense fears it won’t go far enough.
Sense recently started a petition which called on the government to do more to disabled people in the cost of living crisis.
Speaking about the petition, they wrote: “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. 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.”
Without extra support, Sense fears that disabled people could be driven to cut back on essentials like food, heating and life-saving equipment.
Work and Pensions Secretary Chloe Smith said the government is aware that disabled people face additional costs and is “listening and taking decisive action to protect the most vulnerable in our society.”
“In addition to the £150 Disability Cost of Living payment, households will save an average of £1,000 a year through our new Energy Price Guarantee and the lowest-income households will receive at least £1,200 to help with the rising cost of living this year.
“This multi-billion-pound package of support reinforces our commitment to help UK households, particularly those with disability challenges, through the tough times ahead,” she said.
You may be eligible for the payment is you receive one or more of the following disability benefits: Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Scottish Disability Benefits (Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment), Armed Forces Independence Payment, Constant Attendance Allowance and War Pension Mobility Supplement.
For those who were awaiting confirmation of their disability payment on or after 25 May, the process may take longer. This is also the case for those who are still awaiting to be assessed for eligibility.
