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The Priority Services Register

Ask to be added to the free Priorities Services Register - a list that energy and water companies use to make sure they offer help to people who need it. 

Find out more The Priorities Services Register (Easy Read)
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British Gas Energy Trust logo

Thanks to the British Gas Energy Trust for providing funding to help create these resources

News on the cost of living

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Mencap's cost of living advisors

Annette and Tina are cost of living advisors on Mencap’s Learning Disability Helpline in England.  ...
By Mencap
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Priced out and forgotten

Impact of cost-of-living crisis on people with a learning disability, their families and carers. ...
By Mencap
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The cost of living crisis explained

The cost of essential things like food, gas, electricity and petrol are going up quickly. Some people are being asked to pay more for their care as well.  ...
By Mencap
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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.

 

Find out more Free webinar
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Advice and support

The Mencap helpline provides free advice and information for people with a learning disability , as well as where you can find help locally

The Mencap helpline
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Advice about your energy bills 

three energy bills with a line pointing upwards towards a horizontal line and a pound sign.
How does the energy price cap work?
Find out (Easy Read)
3 different energy bills
How do energy bills work?
Find out (Easy Read)
photo of the first page of the easy read doc about tips to save energy
Reduce the amount of energy you use
Learn energy saving tips (Easy Read)
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Find out if you can claim benefits
Contact the Mencap Helpline
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What to do if you can’t afford to pay

If you can’t afford to pay your energy bills, we have specialist cost of living advisers who can give you guidance .

Contact the Mencap Helpline
 
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Help with food 

Food banks can give people food in an emergency and sometimes share fuel vouchers to help pay for gas and electricity. You usually need a referral to use a food bank.

Find a food bank

Using a food bank
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Cheap but tasty Easy Read recipes

Try these delicious recipes from a Community Interest Company called Turning Heads.

Sticky chocolate cake

Pound cake

Vegetable paella

Tuna fritters

Easy enchiladas

Cost of living questions

Frequently asked questions around the cost of living crisis 

Is there help for those living in their own home who pay care charges?

If you pay charges for care in your own home, your council should check that you have enough money to live on.

If you think that there are costs that were not looked at when your income was checked, you can ask for your council to look again.

Contact the Mencap Helpline for more information

Can I get support to pay my bills?

The Government has made money available to local councils to support people with their bills. This is called the ‘Household Support Grant’.

Contact the Mencap Helpline to see if there is any help for you. 

What is the energy price cap?

The energy price cap is about how much energy companies can charge for gas and electricity. 

It started on 1 October 2022 and will last until April 2024. However, the limit will go up after 30 June 2023. 

The amount you'll pay depends on how much gas and electricity you use. 

You don’t need to do anything. The Energy Price Guarantee automatically applies to all types of energy tariffs. 

Can my council 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 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 with new regulations, The Care and Support (Charging and Assessment of Resources) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022. 

What can I do to make a difference?

You could become a Mencap e-campaigner to make a difference - why not register today?

Alternatively, if you have a story to share about the cost of living crisis, do let us know. We want to share your experiences to help people understand what things are like for people with a learning disability.

Become an e-campaigner Share your cost of living story