Charities hit out at 'woefully inadequate' £150 cost of living payment for disabled people

Charities have criticised the government over its cost of living payment for disabled people, calling it "woefully inadequate".

Last week, the government announced that more than six million disabled people will receive a one-off payment of £150 from 20 June.

It is part of a range of payments designed to help Britons during the current cost of living crisis.

Some people will receive up to £1,350 as part of the plan.

A previous £150 disability payment was given out last September, and disabled people who are eligible for the next instalment include those who receive disability living allowance, personal independence payment and attendance allowance.

Read more: Who is and isn't eligible for cost of living payments?

But disability charities have said the £150 is not sufficient and that the government should be doing more to help disabled people.

Dan White, policy and campaigns officer at the Disability Rights UK charity, told Yahoo News UK: "Disabled people are disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis.

"Living with a disability often means extra costs such as spending more money on energy, food and medicine.

"To keep our homes warm, power essential health and mobility equipment, and meet the spiralling cost of food, leaves millions of us without enough for essentials.

"Another round of cost of living payments is of course welcome, but unfortunately the amount is woefully inadequate.

"The government says that it wants to support those who need it most, yet this payment does not come anywhere near achieving that. The unwillingness to understand the lives of disabled people, when all the evidence of deepening poverty and worsening health is around, is shocking and unacceptable.

"There is so much that can be done to draw disabled people out of poverty but there needs to be the willingness to do it before a humanitarian crisis explodes.”

“The £150 disability cost of living payments offered to people on disability benefits won’t touch the sides," said James Taylor, director of strategy at disability charity Scope said:

"We’ve heard from disabled people whose bills have risen to £6,000 a year. Parents are skipping meals so their children can eat. Others are going without food to power breathing equipment.

“Many families are already at breaking point. Without more support, they’ll be pushed over the edge."

Taylor said life costs, on average, £975 a month more for disabled people, and that many face large energy bills because they must power vital equipment all year long.

“Disabled people need a long-term solution," he said.

"The government urgently needs to introduce a discounted social energy tariff for disabled people with no choice but to use more energy.”

The government said the vast majority of the £150 payments will be sent automatically in the two weeks between 20 June and 4 July.

It is part of a wider package of support that includes means-tested cost of living payments totalling up to £900 and £300 pensioner payments.

Mel Stride, work and pensions secretary, said: “This payment helps protect those who need our support the most, providing a vital financial boost to six million disabled people.

Read more: Food crisis will be worse than energy bills within weeks

“Our multibillion-pound package of support reinforces our commitment to help UK households with the rising cost of living.

“It comes on top of record increases to benefits and the national living wage.”

Tom Pursglove, minister for disabled people, said: "We know the cost of living has gone up for disabled people, which is why we are taking action to reduce the financial pressures they face.

"This £150 disability cost of living payment is on top of up to £900 that most low-income benefit claimants will also receive, helping ensure the most vulnerable in our society are protected from rising costs during this challenging period."

Watch: Minister says disabled people have 'particular' cost of living challenges