The government has rejected calls to extend the £650 one-off cost of living payment to people on disability benefits as well as people on means tested benefits.
Around six million people who receive disability benefits will get a one-off payment of £150 by the end of September, while those also in receipt of a means-tested benefit will receive the additional £650 payment which will come in two instalments.
The payment was just one part of a raft of support measures put in place by the former chancellor Rishi Sunak to help ease the cost-of-living crisis and its long-term effects upon families and the Disabled community. However, many campaigners were quick to respond to the announcements and demand that the measures put in place were re-structured to ensure every Disabled person and carer was in receipt of the £650 payment regardless of benefit status.
Disability campaigner Abigail Broomfield launched a Parliamentary petition which received over 18,000 signatures, which warranted a government response.
The Department for Work and Pensions said: "The Government recognises the pressures people are facing with the cost of living. That is why it is providing over £15bn in targeted support for those with the greatest need. This brings the total package of Cost-of-Living support to £37bn this year. The Government recognises that Disabled people face extra costs which is why six million Disabled people who are in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit will receive a one-off Disability Cost-of-Living Payment worth £150. Households will receive a payment for each eligible Disabled person.”
Responding to the decision, Abigail Broomfield said: “The DWP response said the £650 payment will help approximately 60% of carers claiming carers allowance. That still means 520,000 are going to be getting no support at all.”
If you are unsure of whether you qualify for the cost of living payment, you can check the Government guidance.