Cost of living crisis

We know that many families and young people are worried about the current cost of living crisis and are concerned about the impact of rising prices. If you or someone you know is struggling financially, it’s important for you to get all the financial support you’re eligible for.

We have lots of information about the range of disability and welfare benefits and grants you may be eligible for as a deaf young person or parent, carer or guardian of a deaf child. As well as other sources of financial support you may be able to get if you’re a fulltime student, carer or deaf young person struggling to work. You can also contact our free Helpline for information, advice and support or to sign up for a virtual benefits appointment.

Energy price cap

On 31 March 2024, the Government Energy Price Guarantee ended. Find out more about the energy price cap on the ofgem website.

The Priority Services Register

If you or your deaf child have additional needs and need to use medical equipment that requires a power supply, you can contact your energy supplier to join the Priority Services Register (ofgem). This will make sure that your power won't be turned off.

Disability cost of living payments

The Government has not announced further disability cost of living payments for 2024/25.

Mental health

Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. If you’re struggling with money or are stressed about your upcoming financial situation, you can talk to your GP about how this is affecting you or get support from organisations like Mind.

See below for more information and advice on how to get help with the cost of living.

Organisations that can help

General information

• Citizens Advice information (find your nearest Citizens Advice in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales) 
• Leonard Cheshire information
• Mencap information
• Contact information
• Sense and National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) research: Complex disabilities and the cost of living crisis
• Sense blog

Benefits and grants

• Turn2Us
• EntitledTo
• Lightning Reach grant platform
• School uniform grants in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
• StepChange debt charity

Energy and bills

• Energy Bills Support Scheme
• Ofgem information
• National Energy Action (NEA) the UK's national fuel poverty charity
• British Gas Energy Trust
• Energy saving grants from Disability Grants
• Scope’s Disability Energy Support
• Scope’s information on the Priority Services Register

Food

• Find a local food bank with Trussell Trust
• How to use a food bank (Citizen’s Advice)

Campaigns

• Leonard Cheshire’s campaign calling the government to increase benefits to reflect the rising cost of living