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The disability price tag

Scope's new report reveals that life in 2018 is still much more expensive for disabled people. Whether expensive items of equipment, higher fuel bills, or costly insurance premiums, disabled people face extra costs across many areas of their lives.
Key findings from our research:
- On average, disabled people face extra costs of £570 a month related to their impairment or condition. This is on top of welfare payments designed to help meet these costs.
- For one in five disabled people, extra costs amount to over £1,000 per month.
- After housing costs, disabled people on average spend 49 per cent of their income on disability-related costs.
Marie is just one of many disabled people faced with this financial penalty. Watch her story to find out more about the types of extra costs she faces.
Over the coming months we will be using this report to call on Government, businesses and regulators to all play their part in tackling extra costs.
We are talking about your top tips for saving money on this post, let us know your experiences of extra costs and money saving tips.
Scope
Senior online community officer
Senior online community officer
Replies
I can relate perfectly to your situation and it is frustrating and depressing, especially when you have been so active before.
I pay my fuel bills by averaging out the same amount every month. The fuel provider does that for you and the payment is adjusted up or down according to the average. It helps prevent those massive winter bills! Also, check if you are eligible for the Warm Home Fuel Payment. Many fuel providers offer this now, but you have to ask for it.
I too have the problem of always needing things done in and out of the house and so much money is spent paying for that. I do look for friends, or friends of friends who still need paid but don't cost you silly money, (like call out charges!). The council in Glasgow also run a scheme called 'Handyman'. Depending on your circumstances, they will do things like putting up shelves, picture hanging - nothing too technical or difficult, but it is free. It's maybe worth checking that out with your council too.
Most of all, I live on a strict budget. I hate debt and know that is where I would be if I didn't watch my money carefully. I know not all of us have financial difficulty, but so many of us do.