Charities warn £150 cost of living payment for disabled people 'doesn't go far enough'

Around six million disabled people in the UK are to benefit from a one-off £150 disability Cost of Living payment but charities are warning this payment “won’t touch the sides”.

The one-off payment from the government is aimed to help disabled people with the rising Cost of Living acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as care and mobility needs.

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.

However, Mencap say the one-off payment “doesn't go far enough” to support people with a learning disability and will leave their families and carers to “struggle to cope with the pressures of this crisis”.

Edel Harris, chief executive of Mencap, said: “How will people with a learning disability be able to afford the increase in bills regardless of this new support?

“Will social security payments be uprated in line with inflation so people with a learning disability don’t have to choose between food and heating, when for many, options such as seeking employment are not a possibility?

“What additional support will social care providers be given to see the sector through this winter when tackling a workforce crisis and raised energy bills?

“We need urgent clarity on these questions to provide certainty to those with a learning disability and their families. The measures currently in place will not be enough to support them through the coming months.”

Mencap are urging the government to take further action to make sure “people on the lowest incomes aren’t priced out and forgotten”.

The 'payment of £150 needs to be doubled'

The cost of living payments from the government are part of a £37 billion package of support, which will see millions of households receive at least £1,200 this year to help cover rising costs and 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.

But for disabled people, the charity Scope says “life already costs more. "Even before this cost of living crisis", disabled people were facing extra costs of around “£580 per month”.

James Taylor, director of strategy at Scope told Sky News that the £150 one-off payment “won't touch the sides” and at the very least, Scope believes the “payment of £150 needs to be doubled.”

He said: "We know there are many disabled people who have been struggling over the past 12-or-so months and have been making really difficult choices about whether to heat their home or feed their families.”

Ms Harris added: “We hope Friday's 'emergency budget' will step up support for people with a learning disability and help them to weather the storm that lies ahead."

People receiving the one-off payment are also being urged to be alert to scammers targeting those expecting cost-of-living payments.

Payments will be automatic, so people should watch out for texts and emails from fraudsters asking for their personal details.