To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support disabled children going without electricity or heating due to their families being impacted by the increased cost of living.
Answered on
20 June 2023
The Government provides support to disabled children primarily through Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children. This benefit provides significant financial support to cover extra costs incurred as a result of a disability and was uprated in line with inflation in April.
Some family members who provide care to a disabled child may also be eligible for Carer’s Allowance (CA) if they meet the eligibility criteria. This is worth £76.75 per week.
The Government has also provided specific, targeted cost of living support to those in receipt of disability benefits like DLA through the Disability Cost of Living Payments. The Government will begin to deliver the second Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 from June 20th. This is in addition to the previous Disability Cost of Living Payment, also worth £150, delivered from September 2022.
These Disability Cost of Living Payments can be received alongside the Cost of Living Payments for recipients of means-tested benefits (such as households on Universal Credit), namely the £650 payment announced in May 2022 and the £900 payment announced at Autumn Statement 2022.
The Government is providing further support with the cost of essentials through a further one-year extension to the Household Support Fund in England, with additional £1bn funding (including Barnett funding for the devolved administrations). The fund will continue to enable Local Authorities to support vulnerable households, such as through supermarket vouchers and cash grants. Local Authorities can use this fund to provide support for disabled residents.