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<p>There have been many studies estimating the costs of disability, including the
Scope report. The findings vary due to the definitions of disability and the method
being used.</p><p> </p><p>The Government understands the pressures people, including
those who are disabled, are facing with the cost of living and has taken further,
decisive action to support people with their energy bills. We are providing extensive
support to disabled people, and those with a long term health condition, to help them
live independent lives. In 2023/24, we will spend around £78.6bn on benefits to support
disabled people and people with health conditions in Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>In
April, we uprated benefit rates and State Pensions by 10.1%. In order to increase
the number of households who can benefit from these uprating decisions, the benefit
cap levels are also increasing by the same amount.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, for
2023/24, households on eligible means-tested benefits will get up to £900 in Cost
of Living Payments. This will be split into three payments across the 2023/24 financial
year, with the first payment of £301 being made between 25 April and 17 May. A separate
£150 payment will be made to individuals in receipt of eligible disability benefits
in the summer. Further to this, the Energy Price Guarantee will be extended from April
2023 until the end of March 2024, meaning a typical household bill will be around
£2,500 per year in Great Britain.</p><p> </p><p>The Household Support Fund will continue
until March 2024. This year long extension allows local authorities in England to
continue to provide discretionary support to those most in need with the significantly
rising cost of living. The guidance for local authorities for this next iteration
has now been published and can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/household-support-fund-guidance-for-local-councils/1-april-2023-to-31-march-2024-household-support-fund-guidance-for-county-councils-and-unitary-authorities-in-england"
target="_blank">1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024: Household Support Fund guidance for
county councils and unitary authorities in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>. The
devolved administrations will receive consequential funding as usual to spend at their
discretion.</p>
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