Eastern charity warns government disability cost of living support 'won't be enough'
The £150 benefit will automatically be sent out from September 20th to those facing additional costs brought on by their condition
Last updated 2nd Sep 2022
A charity in East Anglia is warning the Government's one cost of living support payment coming at the end of next month- won't be enough to shield local disabled people from soaring bills.
The £150 benefit will automatically be sent out from September to those facing additional costs brought on by their condition such as mobility and care issues.
"We're also concerned with how this will also affect our staff"
Bob Pritchard is Ambient Support’s Regional Manager of our region.
"One of the things we are particularly concerned about is the impact it will have on the people we support, vulnerable adults that we support in the community and those in residential care homes. We're also concerned with how this will also affect our staff, they are hard-working, dedicated people and they will have to face the impacts and deal with all this in many ways".
"There simply isn't means to make that demand"
He says a price freeze also needs to be put in place, for starters:
"Residential beds are being left to their own devices and there is no cap on the energy costs for the providers of these beds. So, if they put the full cost of this back onto their customers or local authorities, there simply isn't means to make that demand."
"We also need to remove the green levy, take away the VAT (value added tax) on energy bills, make sure that every single person in residential care gets the same amount of support as every other vulnerable person in the community".
Mr Pritchard told us that he's worried for those he helps to look after and represent:
"What can they do if the libraries start shutting, if the day services start closing and all the other shops they lead their lives around are disrupted- the answer is exponential but I think we can do is by taking real pragmatic steps from here".
What have the Government said?
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith said:
"We know disabled people can face additional costs, which is why we are acting to help reduce the financial pressures on the most vulnerable.
This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1,200 most low income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support targeted at disabled people, including help with transport and prescription costs.
We know it’s a worrying time for some people and I’d urge them to check they are getting all the support on offer by searching Help for Households".