Campaigners are calling on the government to introduce a new energy bill discount for people in receipt of disability benefits.
Charities say there is a need for urgent action following news of a 10 percent increase in the price cap tariffs from October 1.
The industry regulator Ofgem has urged people to make the most of any state benefits they are entitled to, which could help with energy bills as well as the wider cost of living.
Richard Lane, of debt charity StepChange, urged the Government to introduce targeted support for those who are struggling the most.
Households with disabled individuals, including recipients of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the older-age focused Attendance Allowance, are expressing concerns about the upcoming increase to their energy bills as they typically require additional heating or electricity to power vital equipment.
These anxieties are intensified due to imminent changes to the Winter Fuel Payment that exclude PIP and Attendance Allowance beneficiaries from its scope, prompting charities to call for Labour to establish special tariffs for the most vulnerable, reports Birmingham Live.
Scope has been advocating for the introduction of a cheap social tariff for the disabled as this group often encounter inflated costs due to the need for specialised equipment and the additional electricity required to power such devices.
The charity’s executive director of strategy, James Taylor, warned: “After three years of sky-high energy bills, this further hike will be disastrous for disabled households. Life costs a lot more for disabled people.”
He added: “Since the start of the huge rises in bills, we’ve heard from disabled people who are rationing their wheelchair use and going without food.
“For disabled people who rely on electrical equipment to help them breathe, this is a cost of breathing crisis.”
Mr Taylor emphasised the dire situation, stating, “Disabled households are now beyond breaking point, they have cut back everything they can and been pushed into debt. The government must intervene and bring in discounted bills for disabled households.”
Scope said: “Disability benefit payments, like Personal Independence Payment (PIP), are designed to help offset these costs. However, even after taking PIP into account, the average disabled household (including at least one disabled adult or child) faces extra costs of £975 per month.
“The average extra costs rise to £1,248 per month where there are two disabled adults in the household and at least two children. And for households with one disabled adult, one non-disabled adult and at least one child, the average extra cost is £634.”
The charity stressed that addressing the extra cost of disability requires action on multiple fronts.
