Priced out and forgotten

The cost of living crisis is causing so much distress, mentally and physically – particularly for people with a learning disability who are often on lower incomes and face higher outgoings than the general population. 

People with a learning disability have many additional expenses. Previous research shows that disabled people face extra costs of up to £583 a month more than non-disabled people, to live the same quality of life*, including the cost of social care. In some instances, people pay as much as 40% of their income from benefits to councils through social care charging.  

Results from a Mencap survey show the true impact that the cost-of living-crisis is taking on the lives of people with a learning disability, and their carers, families and guardians. 

Of the 1,000+ individuals surveyed via the Mencap website **, many said they had been worried about money recently, often going to great lengths to manage rising costs.  

People with a learning disability: 

• 34% has been concerned about food costs in the last 3 months 

• 33% were also concerned about energy bills  

• 25% had worried about the cost of hobbies and activities 

• 25% had worried about the cost of their rent or mortgage. 

Many people with a learning disability have taken drastic action to combat these concerns: 

• 35% reporting that they had skipped meals to cut back on costs  

• 13% said they had used a food bank 

• 38% said they hadn’t put the heating on despite being cold 

• 26% reported not switching the lights on to save money 

• 26% had not seen friends and family to save money. *** 

Parents and guardians of people with a learning disability are also taking drastic action to reduce their bills:

• 52% reported not putting the heating on when cold  

• 30% reported not switching the lights on to save money. 

As well as calling on government to do more to fix the long term issues that have made people with a learning disability more vulnerable to this crisis, Mencap is also offering free advice and support for people with a learning disability, and their families and carers, including information about energy, money and benefits through its learning disability helpline:
 

Call: 0808 808 1111
10am to 3pm Monday to Friday 

Email: helpline@mencap.org.uk 

Go to: www.mencap.org.uk/COL for more advice and support

References  

* https://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/research-policy/cost-of-living-report/ 

** 1081 people    

*** 36% said they had not worried about costs of anything suggested in the last 3 months