Scott showing off this kitchen at Moray Lodge

Rising cost of living

Disabled people are having to choose between eating and heating their homes thanks to rising living costs.

It’s either heat or eat. I live on pasta and noodles. No nights out, no fun. No money for equipment. Stuck at home and socially isolated!

Pledge your support

Disabled people should not have to choose between heating or eating. Do you agree? Add your name to show support for disabled people facing breaking point.

Jonathan using a washing machine at Eden Square

Stay in touch

We'd like to keep you updated about how we support disabled people to live, learn and work as independently as they choose. We'll let you know how you can support our vision and get involved through fundraising, volunteering and campaign opportunities.

For specific details on how we may use your data, please read our full privacy notice. You can update or remove your personal details any time by contacting us by email at supporters@leonardcheshire.org or by calling us on 0300 303 0074.

Grace, Change 100 intern, working from her garden

What do the new cost of living payments mean

'Timely, but temporary and not targeted enough' - Gemma Hope, Director of Policy, takes a further look at the government's cost of living announcement.

Read what we think of the latest announcements

A female wheelchair user with her guide dog and carer in a supermarket

Rising costs are a catastrophe for disabled people

Around one in four working-age disabled people in the UK struggle to pay for essentials like food and heating, as their budgets get stretched to breaking point.

Read our full findings

Rising costs will soon leave me out of options

One of our supporters told us about the impact the cost of living crisis is having on their life and why they're scared for the future.

"I've become an expert in frugality, owing to the ever-increasing difficulty of making ends meet on disability benefits that have not been adequately adjusted for inflation and rising costs."

Stock image of an empty fridge

Our research

Our research revealed how around 600,000 disabled people already have less than £10 or less per week to pay for food and other essentials.

With food, energy and fuel cost rises set to skyrocket in the coming year, the impact on disabled people could be catastrophic.

Illustration of people sitting around a table

Missing meals

25% of disabled people have missed a meal because they can’t afford it.

Illustrations of a house with people standing at the window

Heating or eating

28% of disabled people had not been able to afford to keep their home warm.

Illustration of a carer and resident

Depressed and hopeless

55% of disabled people said they felt anxious, depressed or hopeless about financial worries and problems.

What are we calling for

By not increasing benefits in line with inflation this year and effectively cutting support in real terms, the government risks pushing disabled people below the breadline.

Lack of adequate social care is also increasing the financial difficulties faced by disabled people.

This is why we're calling on the government to:

  • Increase benefits in line with inflation.
  • Reverse proposed changes to the Warm Home Discount.
  • Provide better access to social care to boost incomes for disabled people.
Chloe in her wheelchair typing on a keyboard at home