Money and budgets

Uncovering the true cost of the budget cuts

"It's a worry – all the time – not having enough money to survive." Albert, a disabled man in his late fifties

Disabled people’s finances are being hit from all sides. A quarter live in poverty, even before the extra costs of being disabled are factored in. On top of this, 3.7 million disabled people will lose £28 billion worth of support through the welfare changes, some being hit by up to six cuts at once. The reforms are taking their toll on the well-being of disabled people and their families, making it harder to take part in everyday family and social life.

Disabled people cannot be left alone to deal with the worst effects of poverty. You can help reveal to others the true human cost of the cuts by sharing your own story on Facebook or Twitter, or by contacting research@scope.org.uk.

Many families of disabled people tell us they are struggling to make ends meet. Multiple cuts to their benefits and services they rely upon have made things worse; many have lost thousands of pounds in vital financial support.

To find out more about how the cuts are affecting disabled people, download our Destination Unknown reports, in which we follow the plight of several families, as the cuts take effect.

Read our response to the Government's Autumn Statement.

Changes to Disability Living Allowance

It can cost a lot more to live in our society as a disabled person. The support disabled people receive to help them cover these costs will soon change significantly as DLA is replaced with a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment. We're really concerned that 600 000 disabled people could lose out as a result of this change, and so are pushing the Government to ensure the new welfare benefit takes into account the full range of extra costs faced by disabled people.

Find out more about the new PIP benefit.

More welfare campaigns

To get involved in other campaigns on benefits changes, such as ESA and the bedroom tax, please follow us on Twitter or Facebook.