Welsh MPs have written to UK ministers over the "pitiful" cost of living support being given to those with disabilities. Plaid Cymru MPs Hywel Williams and Ben Lake wrote to the UK government calling on it to increase support for disabled people hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.
People claiming disability payments such as personal independence payments (PIP) and disability living allowance (DLA) are currently ineligible for either of the government's cost of living payments of £326, which was given out to more than seven million households in July, and £324 to be given by the end of October. Around six million disabled people will receive a £150 cost of living payment next month, it was confirmed earlier this week.
The one-off payment, originally announced in May, will be paid automatically to people who receive certain disability benefits from September 20. But Mr Williams said it was "completely unacceptable" that disabled people were ineligible for the £650 payment, saying many had additional energy needs including relying on equipment like wheelchairs and ventilators as well as suffering from conditions which mean they need to use additional heat to stay warm.
Read more: All the cost of living payments you will receive and when you will get them
In the letter addressed to work and pensions minister Therese Coffey and chancellor Nadim Zahawi, Mr Williams and Mr Lake called for support to be increased to reflect “the extra costs they face in daily life”. “People in receipt of disability benefits such as the personal independence payment and the disability living allowance are only eligible for the pitiful sum of £150," they said.
“Many disabled people require a higher level of energy use than the average household due to relying on life-saving equipment such as wheelchairs and ventilators. Many also suffer from conditions that requires staying warm and frequently washing clothes and bedding. Using less energy is simply not an option for many disabled people."
Mr Williams and Mr Lake said those receiving new style employment and support allowance, contributory employment and support allowance or new style jobseeker’s allowance were also excluded from the cost of living payment.
“There is no justification for this decision by the government," they said. "We therefore call on you to urgently revise the eligibility criteria for this payment and ensure that disabled people receive a cost-of-living payment which reflects the extra costs they face in daily life and the impact of the energy crisis.
“Failing to do so would mean sitting on your hands while disabled people struggle to choose between eating or continuing to use life-saving equipment.”
Both Conservative Party leadership candidates Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss were also included on the letter. A DWP spokesperson said: "We know that living with a long-term illness or disability can impact on living costs, which is why financial support is available to those with disabilities or caring responsibilities and we urge people to check they are getting all the help to which they are entitled.
“This £150 disability payment is on top of the £1,200 most low income benefit claimants will also receive and alongside wider support targeted at disabled people, including help with transport and prescription costs. All households will also receive £400 energy payments while vulnerable people in England are being supported by the government’s household support fund - which was boosted by £500million - to help pay for essentials.”
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