By Mencap
Many people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
who receive benefits will start seeing cost of living support payments into their banks from 14 July 2022. This extra money is for people on low incomes, or who face additional costs because of a disability, to cope with the rising prices of food, energy and other essentials.
People with a learning disability spend more than non-disabled people on essentials. As benefits are not keeping up with inflation, some people on low incomes are likely to be worse off this year. So while this additional support – up to £1200 paid between July 2022 and March 2023 – is welcome, it might not be enough to cover the rapidly rising prices.
If you, or someone you care for, is due to receive these payments, we’re encouraging you to make a plan for how best to use this money.
When you are planning, remember:
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The payments will start in July, but need to last for around 9 months.
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Benefits payments are not expected to rise again until April 2023.
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The price of essentials will probably continue to increase.
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Energy costs are expected to go up again over the winter too.
"Can my council
A council is also called a local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools, social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it. (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. . They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection. take any of this money into account for social care charges?"
No. Many people with a learning disability who get social care support from their council have to pay money in charges towards their care.
The government
The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much
tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council Tax is the money that people pay to the council. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
.
people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (
NHS
The NHS is the National Health Service. The NHS gives free healthcare to everyone in the UK and includes things like your GP (doctors) surgery and hospitals.
) should work.
has said that people get to keep all of the cost of living payments and councils cannot take the payments into account for social care charges. The government has put this into
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
with new regulations, The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022.
How to get help with food, energy and fuel costs
We've created a page about the governments cost of living payments. Find out if you are eligible and how to claim them.
Alternatively, join one of our free webinars.