Cost of Living & Disability (UK) – Complete Support Guide
Many disabled people, people with long-term health
conditions, neurodivergent people, carers, and families face higher living costs. These can include increased energy use, specialist diets, medical equipment, transport costs, laundry, heating requirements, and accessibility needs.
This guide explains the main sources of financial help
available in the UK, where to apply, how to ask for support, and what to do if you are struggling with bills.
Start Here: Check All Benefit Entitlement
Before applying for grants or hardship schemes, check whether you are receiving all benefits you may qualify for.
Useful services:
- Benefits Calculators (GOV.UK)
- Universal Credit (GOV.UK)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) (GOV.UK)
- Attendance Allowance (GOV.UK)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) (GOV.UK)
- Carer's Allowance (GOV.UK)
Many support schemes use benefit entitlement as part of eligibility.
Energy Support
Disabled people often have higher energy needs due to:
- Medical equipment
- Mobility equipment charging
- Additional heating needs
- Laundry requirements
- Staying at home more frequently
- Health-related temperature needs
Warm Home Discount
Provides a discount on eligible electricity bills.
Official information:
Priority Services Register
Free service available through energy suppliers.
May provide:
- Priority support during power cuts
- Accessible communications
- Advance notice of planned interruptions
- Additional help for vulnerable customers
Information:
- Priority Services Register (Ofgem)
Energy Supplier Hardship Funds
Many suppliers operate support schemes.
These may help with:
- Energy debt
- Emergency funding
- Payment plans
- Financial hardship
Ask your supplier:
Do you offer a hardship fund or support scheme for customers with disabilities or health conditions?
What to Say to an Energy Supplier
I have a disability/health condition which increases my energy use.
I am experiencing financial difficulty and would like information about hardship support, payment assistance, and any priority services available.
Water Support Schemes
Many water companies offer reduced tariffs and support.
Possible help includes:
- Reduced bills
- Payment plans
- Debt assistance
- Medical water-use support
WaterSure Scheme
Can help some households with high water use due to disability or medical conditions.
Official information:
- WaterSure Scheme (GOV.UK)
Contact Your Water Company
Ask:
Do you offer social tariffs, disability support schemes, WaterSure, hardship funds, or debt assistance?
Broadband & Phone Support
Reliable internet access is increasingly essential for:
- Healthcare appointments
- Benefits management
- Education
- Employment
- Social contact
Social Tariffs
Many providers offer cheaper broadband packages for people receiving certain benefits.
Information:
What to Ask
I receive qualifying benefits. Can you tell me whether I am eligible for a social tariff or reduced-cost package?
Food Support
Food insecurity affects many households facing disability-related costs.
Local Food Banks
Food banks may provide emergency food support.
Find support:
Community Support
Your local council may know about:
- Community pantries
- Community fridges
- Emergency food schemes
- Local charities
Find your council:
Household Support Fund
One of the most important forms of cost-of-living assistance.
Provided through local councils.
May help with:
- Food
- Energy bills
- Essential household items
- Emergency costs
- Support during financial hardship
Official guidance:
Find your council:
What to Say When Applying
I am experiencing financial hardship due to disability-related costs and rising living expenses.
I would like to be considered for Household Support Fund assistance and any other available support schemes.
Local Welfare Assistance
Many councils operate local emergency support schemes.
Help may include:
- Food vouchers
- Utility support
- Essential furniture
- White goods
- Emergency assistance
Contact your local council directly.
Disability-Related Cost Support
Access to Work
For disabled people in employment.
May help with:
- Equipment
- Travel costs
- Support workers
- Workplace adjustments
Official guidance:
Telephone:
- 0800 121 7479
Textphone:
- 0800 121 7579
NHS Low Income Scheme
May help with:
- Prescriptions
- Dental costs
- Travel expenses
- Eye care costs
Official guidance:
Debt Advice
If you are struggling with debt, seek advice as early as possible.
Free debt advice is available.
StepChange
Website:
Telephone:
- 0800 138 1111
National Debtline
Website:
Telephone:
- 0808 808 4000
Citizens Advice
Website:
Can assist with:
- Benefits
- Debt
- Housing
- Cost-of-living issues
- Energy problems
What to Say to a Creditor
I am experiencing financial difficulties due to disability-related costs and reduced income.
I would like to discuss affordable repayment options and request temporary support while I seek advice.
Grants & Emergency Funding
Turn2Us Grants Search
Large grant database.
Website:
- Turn2Us Grants Finder
May identify:
- Disability grants
- Household grants
- Utility support
- Emergency funding
Family Fund
For eligible families raising disabled children and young people.
Website:
Telephone:
- 01904 550055
Support for Carers
Carer's Allowance
Information:
Carers UK
Website:
Helpline:
- 0808 808 7777
Accessible Support
You can ask organisations for:
- Easy Read
- Large print
- Braille
- Audio formats
- British Sign Language interpretation
- Communication support
- Alternative formats
- Text Relay services
Information:
Disability Advice & Advocacy
Disability support and advice.
Helpline:
- 0808 800 3333
Advice on:
- Disability rights
- Benefits
- Independent living
- Financial support
Free independent advice.
Cost of Living Checklist
If you have a disability or long-term health condition, check whether you have:
✓ Applied for all benefits
✓ Joined the Priority Services Register
✓ Checked Warm Home Discount eligibility
✓ Asked your water company about WaterSure and social tariffs
✓ Checked broadband social tariffs
✓ Applied for Household Support Fund assistance
✓ Asked about local welfare schemes
✓ Checked NHS Low Income Scheme eligibility
✓ Searched Turn2Us grants
✓ Contacted Citizens Advice if struggling financially
✓ Sought free debt advice before debts become unmanageable
Emergency Contacts
Citizens Advice
StepChange
- 0800 138 1111
- StepChange Debt Charity
National Debtline
- 0808 808 4000
- National Debtline
Scope
- 0808 800 3333
- Scope
Carers UK
- 0808 808 7777
- Carers UK
The most important step is to ask for help early. Many disability-related grants, utility schemes, social tariffs, hardship funds, and council support programmes are not automatically awarded and often require an application or direct request.