Is the cost of living crisis impacting your health?

Alex_Alumni

The cost of living as a disabled person:

We know that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis more than non-disabled people, as Cher has explained in her "cost of staying alive" discussion.

It’s no secret that managing any long-term health conditions or disabilities often means higher bills due to increased use of electricity, heating, and water. For example, when charging a wheelchair, using a ventilator or using more heating and hot baths for chronic pain management, the costs can add up quickly.

Is the cost of living crisis impacting your health?

How are you finding managing your condition in the middle of the cost of living crisis?

2oldcodgers

Firstly not all, just some, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis more than non-disabled people. I am not struggling at all and most of our income comes via welfare benefits and State pensions.
The cost of living crisis is not impacting my health.
Maybe we are more resilient than others given our upbringing and dogged attitude.

L_Volunteer

Thank you for sharing your views and experiences with us @2oldcodgers. It is positive to hear you are not struggling at all and it is not impacting your health 

Stellar

it's impacting mine, the constant fascism that's bein pushed to deflect from tory malice through this cost-of-tory crisis is making my anxiety worse, hence making me more isolated. and there's no point taking a conventional job because employers are abusive and won't pay their workers properly or accommodate them, and it dosent matter that others think said fascismis wrong, they're not taking to the streets and organising a full on rebellion so their opinions are invalid.

only real way to end the anxiety for me is to leave this cesspit and return to civilisation where people actually fight for rights and educate themselves so that dire situations like this are avoided to begin with.

Cartini

Biblioklept said:

2oldcodgers said:

Firstly not all, just some, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis more than non-disabled people. I am not struggling at all and most of our income comes via welfare benefits and State pensions.
The cost of living crisis is not impacting my health.
Maybe we are more resilient than others given our upbringing and dogged attitude.

Not sure it says 'all' anywhere. I'm really happy for you that it isn't impacting you but to say maybe it's because you're 'more resilient than others' doesn't seem right.  

Why doesn`t that seem right?  Some people are indeed more resilient than others, for whatever reasons.  I eat bucket loads of garlic and never have a cold, that makes me more resilient than those who suffer from colds, whether or not they eat garlic.

Alex_Alumni

Is anyone else feeling pressure to cut down on their energy use?

Figures from the ONS show that more than half (53%) of adults in Great Britain are reporting using less fuel in their homes because of the rising cost of living. This pressure to cut the cost of bills can have a negative impact on our mental health and wellbeing.

Using less fuel might mean doing less in the home, like socialising for example. Some might not feel able to cook a big family roast or even have a friend round for a cuppa.

Have you had to make changes to the way you socialise at home to help afford the bills?

If gathering together with friends or family for a party, like the coronation or Eurovision for example, something which I like to do is take food or drink to share, or ask guests to bring some along! It can be a fun way to road test any new recipes too, provided things don't go wrong in the kitchen.

Over in America I believe it's called 'Potluck' and may well have originated during the Great Depression in the 1930's, a time when many struggled with costs day to day.

Don’t forget there is help available. Consider joining your energy provider's Priority Services Register or reaching out to Scope’s Disability Energy Support service for guidance.

Liamcar1985

Ive been hospitalised quite a few times this year spent around 4 months in hospital over the past 12 month, struggling financially i can just about feed my kids, my house is that cold because we cant afford to heat the property is untrue i dont understand why or how the government have let energy companies put a price rise on the cost apart from there back handers when im in hospital and on the mend i come home to a cold house and back to square one feel ill its 100% down to the enrgy cost etc my mental health and my partners is shattered we have both worked all our lives im 37 an uptil my illness took control over me we was happy now we arw miserable and cold. 

mousey

Is the cost of living crisis impacting your health? 

Yes it is - I can only have the hot water on once a week to have a bath so my pain levels are higher. I'm colder which also impacts my pain as heating doesn't go on now at all. I worry about charging things like my bath lift, my mobility aids, and using my computer so I feel more isolated as a result. My mental health is rubbish now too because I'm so stressed about money (I posted about this issue with ESA recently) and can't afford to buy food etc as often as it's needed.

Doc

I'm lucky, I'm managing (at the moment), but I do worry.
If my wheelchair breaks down... can I afford to fix it? Can I afford taxis whilst it's being repaired?
If the costs continue to rise.. will I be able to heat my home? Will I be able to afford takeaways, or am I doomed to never having cooked meals (not safe for me to cook)? How will I afford to fill my friend's car so she can visit to help me around the house and take me shopping?
I also worry about my friend, she's already hadto increase her work hours to full time in order to pay her rent; she also helps her elderly disabled mother, aunt and uncle, disabled brother, niece and myself, as well as take care of 3 kids!

confuddled

We are a family where we are all disabled in one way or other. We are finding the cost of living now extremely difficult. Our energy bill is high, our food for our allergies is ridiculous, medicines we need that aren't on prescription have  gone up. Everything is effected. Our children are amazed when we manage to do a small food shop these days

Alex_Alumni

Thanks for sharing your experiences everyone, remember you can contact Disability Energy Support or the Scope Helpline for help with the cost of living too. 

Just to add, for those facing increased isolation due to the cost of living crisis, don’t forget about your local community.

Local community help:

There have been initiatives launched across the UK to help anyone struggling with rising costs, and the isolation that can bring, with things like warm hubs. Have you visited one?

In recent years, the humble café has rebranded itself as a social hotspot and community hub, for repairs, chats or just to reminisce, chances are you can find one to suit local to you.

• Repair Café
• Chatty Café Scheme 
• Reminiscence Café – ask your local authority, there might be one at the library or museum.

If anyone feels they need additional support, please ask, and we'll do what we can.

Maurice123

Hi
I feel very sorry for anybody who is finding coping difficult. My electricity bill which covers all my heating and cooking works out at £5 a day and I am lucky enough to find that very manageable. Although I am well below the average income I have enough to eat well and go out four times a week. Well be taken out to a pub visit actually. If you need special heating to run equipment then my experience will not apply. I am lucky enough to enjoy the higher rate of attendance allowance and this helps a lot as well as being non-taxable. I feel that I am not extravagant but the government help over the last year has been a great benefit, soI do not know how the next year will be.

Invdisability

I did not put my heating on all winter and kept my energy usage to an average of 6.5kwh of electric per day for the year. That equated to a bill from Feb 2022 to Feb 2023 of £600. I don't have any gas.
This was a deliberate decision. Yes I am frugal but I feel I was more comfortable watching Television in bed as opposed to the front room. As to whether it made my joints and injuries hurt more. I can't really say as they are always worse in winter. 

I just wore warm clothes and when it got cooler in the evenings went to bed with 2 quilts and a hot water bottle.

I do live on the 3rd floor of a modern apartment block that has a C energy rating. I have flats either side of me, and above and below. And the enclosed communal landing behind me is heated. So you could say I took advantage of my surroundings. And yes I am in my house most days 24/7.

My only problem was my rent went up £40 per month to £735 but the LHA stayed at £599.98 and with the other increases food, fuel, etc, it wiped out any increases I got in benefits.

But if I count all the Cost of living Payments I received.

3x £300 COLP
1x £150 Disability
1x £400 Energy
2x £25  Cold weather periods

Total = £1,500

Then I would say I was better off.

alina81

Cartini said:

Biblioklept said:

2oldcodgers said:

Firstly not all, just some, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis more than non-disabled people. I am not struggling at all and most of our income comes via welfare benefits and State pensions.
The cost of living crisis is not impacting my health.
Maybe we are more resilient than others given our upbringing and dogged attitude.

Not sure it says 'all' anywhere. I'm really happy for you that it isn't impacting you but to say maybe it's because you're 'more resilient than others' doesn't seem right.  

Why doesn`t that seem right?  Some people are indeed more resilient than others, for whatever reasons.  I eat bucket loads of garlic and never have a cold, that makes me more resilient than those who suffer from colds, whether or not they eat garlic.

Well, garlic makes me sick as I have IBS. Without eating a lot of garlic like yourself, I don't get ill often. But keep in mind, poor mental health reflects on general health. And garlic doesn't fix hidden or physical disabilities 

MarieBarl

We aren't struggling yet. We prepared for budget constraints 18 months ago when I first got a serious infection and my husband was diagnosed with cancer all within 4 weeks. I  cashed in retirement savings  early, but got less than I would have had due to war, covid and governmennt uncertainties taking a huge chunk of them.

I was going to give us a nice holiday. Instead  I have spent the money on bills and buying a wheelchair, hospital bed, temporary ramps etc,  because there is a 5 month wait for Adult Services home assessment where I live. Also I get only ESA and PIP to live on since losing my job, because my husband has managed to keep working whilst  being treated for Cancer except for the 6  weeks recovery post surgery.  When my pension starts in august, it will cover our rent and leave me 10p per week.

I have a tiny work pension to come, with care it will pay the increase in costs for  a year. We get £150 COL in total.  

I have a chance to earn a few pounds per week from a new hobby because I can't go back out to work. Along with ESA still waiting assessment thle extra will be taxable and I don't feel like it's very fair the way things have worked out. It is just the way it is though.

My sister has struggled along on benefits for so long, though. Every extra penny she gets then gets reassessed and she ends up with such a tiny amount to live on that I dare not ask for any help. I feel I will be worse off.

I don't know how all of you cope and keep smiling. I think you are amazing. I am still smiling- but some days it feels very tough.

I'm not a total wreck, but all the government forms and my life changes have taken their toll. I am so lucky to have gotten this far without screaming.

Maurice123

@Mariberi
The more I read by people like yourself, I realise how very tough it is for many people. The shock for both of you must have been to disbelieve it at the beginning. A woman in my village has just been given the last available council house because she was evicted for not paying her rent, not paying her energy bills amounting to £3000,not paying her council tax. Not only that she has been given £5000 by the council to help furnish her new house. In addition she
has received a blue badge for a claimed disability. Funny how it did not stop her dancing in the street at the May festival. This is the sort of person I hate and if I had the power would never house her and her husband again.
When somebody like you has to put up with practically begging for help, and somebody like her is cheating the system. By the way she also asked for and received a special parking space outside somebody elses's house. The phrase " the world's gone mad" comes to mind, and I can prove everything i am saying.

richump

Alex_Scope said:

The cost of living as a disabled person:

We know that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis more than non-disabled people, as Cher has explained in her "cost of staying alive" discussion.

It’s no secret that managing any long-term health conditions or disabilities often means higher bills due to increased use of electricity, heating, and water. For example, when charging a wheelchair, using a ventilator or using more heating and hot baths for chronic pain management, the costs can add up quickly.

Is the cost of living crisis impacting your health?

How are you finding managing your condition in the middle of the cost of living crisis?

richump

I am so glad to hear so many people are doing so well but as myself and my wife have work we are not getting the cost of living payments. There is ten pence between what we get from benefits and what a person who has never paid national insurance gets. The issue in this case is that there are now nearly £2000 difference in how much benefit we get. 

I can’t afford the heating or now it’s so hot the fan on and I can’t afford to eat how my diabetic consultant wants me to.

I am suffering mentally as I can’t go out to visit places or people and I am constantly depressed all the time.

I was happy working as a nurse until my health got to the point where I can’t work anymore and as I worked for an agency (due to health issues) I have no pensions or other help. Before the first lockdown I had savings but I have used then all to live on.

Adrian_Scope

Hello @richump,
I'm really sorry to hear about the tough situation you and your wife are going through. It's understandable that you're feeling stressed and down because of financial struggles and health issues. I want you to know that you're not alone, and there are people who can help you.
First of all, I want to acknowledge your hard work as a nurse and the disappointment of not being able to work anymore due to health problems. It's tough to give up something you enjoyed. Your dedication to helping others is commendable, and I hope you can find comfort in the positive impact you made during your nursing career.
It's important to reach out to your diabetic consultant and let them know about your financial situation. You won't be the only person in this situation and they may have suggestions or alternative strategies to help manage your condition within your budget. Don't hesitate to communicate openly with them.
Feeling isolated and depressed because you can't go out or see people is completely understandable. However, there are online communities and forums like our own where you can connect with others facing similar challenges. Sharing your thoughts and feelings with people who understand can be really comforting, if only to make you realise you're not alone in all this.
Seeking emotional support is important. Helplines and counselling services are there to listen and provide guidance. They can connect you with the right resources to help manage your depression and provide emotional support. It might be worth reaching out to CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (available 5pm to midnight every day) or using their webchat service on their website.

Please know that there are people who care and want to help you through this tough time. It might take some effort to find the right support, but don't hesitate to reach out. Your dedication as a nurse has made a positive impact, and I hope you and your wife can find some relief and stability soon.

MarieBarl

richump said:

I am so glad to hear so many people are doing so well but as myself and my wife have work we are not getting the cost of living payments. There is ten pence between what we get from benefits and what a person who has never paid national insurance gets. The issue in this case is that there are now nearly £2000 difference in how much benefit we get. 

...

I was happy working as a nurse until my health got to the point where I can’t work anymore and as I worked for an agency (due to health issues) I have no pensions or other help. Before the first lockdown I had savings but I have used then all to live on.

I'm so sorry to hear this. The benefits system really does not work fairly.

SharonRuth

I’m a single disabled 64 year old woman. I’m also a wheelchair user. The cost of living has me penny pinching on everything. My gas I had cut off because I can’t afford to pay to keep the place heated. My shower is electric so that’s fine. I had to cancel Sky tv and broadband. I’ve had to stop smoking cigarettes, i don’t drink, the only time I go out is to go grocery shopping.
Yes, I think that the cost of living crisis has affected me dearly