Extra Costs

Life costs more for disabled people and their families, spending more on essential goods and services like; heating, insurance, equipment and therapies. These extra costs mean disabled people have less money in their pocket than non-disabled people, or go without.

The result is that disabled people are more likely to have a lower standard of living, even when they earn the same.

The Disability Price Tag

Our latest Disability Price Tag research for 2023 looks at the extra costs faced by disabled households.

We found that:

• disabled households with at least 1 disabled adult or child, face extra costs of £975 a month on average
• for households with 2 disabled adults and at least 2 children, these average extra costs increase to £1,248 a month
• disability related extra costs are equivalent to 63% of a disabled household’s income, after housing costs

Read our Disability Price Tag report 2023.

Higher energy bills for disabled people

Disabled people often face higher costs for their gas and electricity. Many disabled people say they need more heating to stay warm, yet others say they have to use extra electricity to charge up items of assistive technology.

Out in the Cold report and our recommendations.

The Extra Costs Commission

The Extra Costs Commission was a 12 month independent inquiry, set up by Scope in 2014 to explore the extra costs faced by disabled people and their families.

About the Extra Costs Commission.

Advice and support

Scope provides advice and support for disabled people and their families.

Online advice and support for disabled people

Online information for families with disabled children

Navigate: emotional support service for parents of disabled children