Scope, the disability equality charity, has published ‘Do the right thing’ a report that lays bare the scale of the Cost of Living crisis for disabled people. The charity warns disabled people are self-rationing now and can not afford to wait months for Government payments. Scope is taking these concerns to Parliament today (7 December) at an event hosted with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Disability.

One £150 cost of living payment for disabled people was made in September [1]. But the second payment, announced by the Chancellor in November 2022, will not be paid until April 2023 at the earliest – some 6 months after the first [2]. With temperatures plummeting this week, disabled people cannot afford to wait.

It comes as National Energy Action warns there are predicted to be 3.9 million disabled people in fuel poverty by April 2023 [3].

Life costs more if you are disabled [4]. One of the reasons is that disabled people often have to use more energy [5]. And a price cap on energy isn’t a cap on bills [5].

One disabled person told Scope:

“I have been going off supply due to being too scared to use heating because it’s so very expensive. I’ve been using a duvet and dressing in layers of clothing instead.”

One parent of a disabled child told Scope:

“My daughter has autism and ADHD, it is hard to explain to her why we can’t have things, why we can’t go places, why she can’t go to a birthday party because I can’t afford the gift. I am also autistic ADHD with no family support and the added stress is killing me.”

James Taylor, Director of Strategy at disability equality charity Scope said:
“Disabled people have been left to fend for themselves this winter.

“Government support doesn’t touch the sides, and will not get close to meeting the scale of the current crisis.

“At the very least the second £150 disability cost living payment announced by the Chancellor in November needs to be brought forward and paid to disabled people this winter.

“We’re hearing from disabled people whose lives are at risk because they can’t afford the heating and energy they need for life-saving essentials.

“The government must do the right thing and bring in much-needed support now.”

Scope is calling for:
The £150 announced for disabled people in the Autumn Statement by the Chancellor to be brought forward to this winter
Government, Ofgem and energy companies to work together to provide a social tariff that will provide discounted rates for those with higher energy usage and on lower incomes
The priority services register to be reformed so that it also captures financial vulnerability
Quicker, and stricter, enforcement by Ofgem of energy suppliers who fail disabled customers
Ofgem should issue a legally enforceable stop to any new installations of PPMs in households with disabled people, whilst bills are so high.
A moratorium of energy suppliers remotely switching disabled customers on Smart Meters to Pre-pay mode from credit mode