Double Disadvantage – The reality for disabled people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds

In its 2018-19 State of the Nation report, the Social Mobility Commission identified a ‘double disadvantage’ faced by disadvantaged, disabled people.

This showed that although disabled people from privileged backgrounds are 30% less likely to enter ‘professional occupations’ than their non-disabled peers, they are still more than twice as likely to enter these ‘professional occupations’ than people with disabilities from a disadvantaged socio-economic background.

Since that report, we have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now living through the worst cost of living crisis in a generation. This blog will highlight some elements of the experience of disadvantaged, disabled people through these ‘once in a generation’ crises and identify some of the support/schemes available to those who need it (which we encourage you to share).

The pandemic

The pandemic had a major impact on people from all walks of life, all across the world. The impact was especially pronounced, however, for those with disabilities from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

Some examples include:

• Very sadly, in the UK, 59.5% of people who died from COVID-19 were disabled.
• For many, ‘daily outside exercise’ was not an option, making lockdown more isolating.
• There was a significant reduction to access to NHS services (and many disadvantaged people had no private healthcare).
• Many struggled with access to food – some argued that the focus on providing food to clinically extremely vulnerable meant that other disabled people (who had to seek out neighbours/charities) were ‘left out’.
• School-students from socio-economically disadvantaged families were not able to access educational materials and assistive technology e.g. the internet. Many did not have parents with a higher education to supplement their education. Children with special educational needs lost access to the same level of support they had pre-pandemic (e.g. support from a speech and language therapist).

The cost of living crisis

Following the Coronavirus pandemic, we have been thrown into further uncertainty as we face the greatest cost of living crisis that this country has seen in a generation. There are obvious disadvantages that disabled people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds face. Some of these are as follows:

• Although the government provides a £150 payment to people claiming disability benefits, a £150 discount through the Warm House Discount Scheme, and £400 energy bills assistance, this is far from enough, particularly given benefits have been stripped back since 2010.
• On average, people with disabilities have extra costs equivalent to almost half of their income (not including household costs). One in five have extra costs of £1,000 a month compared to normal people. This suggests government measures aren’t going far enough.
• Among those who had seen cost of living increases, those living in the most deprived fifth of areas in England were more likely to have cut back on food and essentials (42%) than average (35%). Meanwhile, those in the least deprived fifth of areas were less likely (27%).

What help is available?

Disabled people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds have less resources to access the help and support they need, and therefore a greater reliance on solely publicly funded assistance is likely to leave them far behind their wealthier counterparts who have the resources for private treatment.  It is important therefore to raise awareness of the charities that may be able to support people in those circumstances to help improve their access to support.

• The guide published on the Money Saving Expert website is an incredibly informative and helpful guide for all those struggling to make ends meet at this time.
• Family Fund – offers grants for low-income families raising disabled or serious ill children and young people. Last year 150,000 grants were made (worth more than £48m). This can be vouchers for trips, clothing, computers/tablets, sensory toys/equipment, kitchen appliances etc.
• 3H Foundation – offers grants to allow disabled persons from low-income families to have a UK-based holiday independent from their day-to-day carers, allowing family a period of respite.
• Home Improvement Agency – contracted by Department of Levelling Up, the HIA make home improvements for elderly, disabled, or low-income people.
• Turn2Us – can help people find charitable grants depending on their specific circumstances.

There is support out there for those people who need it the most. The Money Saving Expert webpage is an extremely helpful and informative tool and a great place to start.

By Kate Barlow and Huzaifa Moosa