From household items to mobility aids, the world is often a more expensive place for disabled people. Discover the money-saving schemes and discounts that can help balance the books

To be disabled means having to grapple with significant extra costs – and, quite often, this is something that no one warns you about.

To reach the same standard of living as someone who is not disabled, there is a notable difference in the cost of the items purchased, which applies to both big and small purchases. Take carrots as an example. If you have a limb difference, a chronic pain condition, or are unable to use your arms or your hands, this may mean having to buy pre-cut carrots from the supermarket, which tend to be more expensive. Then, consider bigger purchases. Frequently, adaptive equipment, mobility aids, and other supplies have to be purchased by the individual, as they’re rarely given to you as ‘standard’. These are all extra costs which would not have been encountered otherwise, and which can quickly add up!

The charity Scope crunched the numbers in their 2024 report, Disability Price Tag. What it found was that, on average, disabled households need an additional £1,010 a month to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households. Plus, the average extra cost of disability is equivalent to 67% of household income after housing costs. That’s a lot of money to have to find elsewhere, when budgets are already stretched to the max.

From one disabled person to another, these are the hacks I utilise to the best of my advantage in order to help with the bills. While they are not an automatic solution, these are what I use as a ‘stop gap’ to try to save as much as possible, or to spend my money in a cost-effective way.

Use calculator tools to better understand what you’re entitled to

When it comes to disability benefits, there are several means of support that you can apply for from the state. This includes Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Universal Credit, among others. Navigating the benefits system is notoriously channelling, but there are tools to help you out. Turn2Us (turn2us.org.uk) has a free benefits calculator on its website, which you can use to immediately see what you’d be able to access.

Apply for the Access to Work scheme

Access To Work is another programme run by the government, which is designed to assist disabled individuals in work. This takes the form of a grant to help pay for practical support with your work, support with managing your mental health at work, and money to pay for communication support at job interviews. This could include things like specialist equipment and assistive software, support workers, adaptations to your vehicle so you can get to work, or physical changes to your workplace.

While the wait for Access to Work can be long, and it’s likely you will need some documentation to back up the ‘why’ in ‘why you need support’, you can apply reasonably simply online. Adjustments to an environment engage with the concept of creating independence, through removing accessibility barriers, and so this is a good option for those in work. Head to gov.uk/access-to-work to learn more.

Understand VAT and exemptions

When it comes to products designed to assist, or which have been adapted for your disability use, you may be entitled to VAT relief. Qualifying products could be things such as a stair lift, a wheelchair, adaptive cars, and even building work associated with accessibility. Often, suppliers will have a form on their website for you to fill out in order to claim this cost-saving measure. If not, you can download the form from gov.uk.

Sign up to money-saving schemes

Once you have received some form of proof of disability, this unlocks a whole other world of support, as well as a way forward to save money. You can sign up for a Disabled Persons Railcard and, if you regularly use a bus, councils and bus companies operate a similar organised scheme, offering disabled bus passes.

Other examples of schemes include WaterSure, which is designed to help people who use a lot of water for medical reasons by those who are struggling with their water bills. You may qualify for The Warm Home Discount for your energy bills, as well as discounts and exceptions for council tax, road toll charges, car tax, cinema and event tickets for carers, TV licenses, and more. This isn’t a definitive list of what a disabled person can apply for, so it’s something that is definitely worth researching online. You can find more details on scope.org.uk and by word-of-mouth by connecting with other disabled people in forums and community groups.