The 2022 Cost of Living Support Fund evaluation
Who did we help?
The majority (69%) of the households we helped were families with disabled children. 21% of households lived with a disabled young person and 10% with a disabled adult.
- 81% of the families were in receipt of carers allowance.
- 43% lived in social housing.
- 62% of the families we supported had a net income level of £18,000 or less.
- Over 95% of families were on a means-tested benefit.
83% of the grant recipients were people who access a Sense service. The remaining 17% were referred from our seven partner charities: Alstrom, BBS UK, BDFA UK, NewLife, Rett UK, WellChild and Zellweger.
Age range of grant recipients
Adults | 10% | |
Children | 69% | |
Young people | 21% |
One of us gave up their career to be a full-time parent carer to our two disabled children. We’re so grateful for the grant which will help us keep afloat and not have to make as many hard choices to afford living in London.
Recipient of the cost of living fund
Tackling the financial and mental pressures
Everyone who received a grant said that it helped them cope with the financial pressure.
The biggest help was practical – people felt that they were more able to balance their finances (60%) and afford essential items (47%).
However, people reported how the financial support helped their mental health. 47% said that the fund made them feel less stressed and gave them an improved sense of wellbeing, while 20% said they felt more able to cope with day-to-day life and 23% said they had an improved sense of wellbeing.
It has eased pressure on our household income | 60% |
I can afford other essential items | 47% |
I feel less stressed and anxious | 47% |
I feel more able to cope with day-to-day life | 20% |
I have an improved sense of wellbeing | 23% |
Sense’s support fund will pay for the repairs to Jack’s powerchair, which is a huge relief. Without it, we may have gone into debt. Having to constantly think and worry about the additional costs is horrible and it makes me quite low sometimes.
Catherine, whose son Jack has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a learning disability