The impact of the rising cost of living on people with complex disabilities

For the 2023 update to our Potential and Possibility research, we asked participants about how the cost of living crisis is impacting them.

We found that 85% of people with complex disabilities are worried about the rising cost of living. This is not surprising, as they are struggling to meet their costs at a higher rate than the general population.

Read on to find out what our participants had to say.

The cost of living continues to increase for people with complex disabilities

As found in previous research by Sense, the rising cost of living continues to be a big issue for people with complex disabilities.

85% of people with complex disabilities were very or somewhat worried about the rising cost of living.  

Nearly three quarters of people of people with complex disabilities (69%) felt over the last month that their cost of living had increased. 

People with complex disabilities were more likely to be adversely affected by the rising cost of living. Over half of people with complex disabilities (59%) found it very or somewhat difficult to afford their energy bills. This is higher than general public (42%) and disabled people (53%) according to ONS’s Winter Pressures Survey, 18 to 26 February 2023.  

How difficult is it to afford your energy bills?

General public	42%
Disabled people	52%
People with complex disabilities	59%

How easy is it to afford rent or mortgage payments 

People with complex disabilities were less likely to find it easy to afford their rent or mortgage payments. Only one in five people with complex disabilities (20%) found it very or somewhat easy to afford these payments. This is lower than the general public (62%) and disabled people (50%).

General public	62%
Disabled people	50%
People with complex disabilities	20%

“It has tripled my energy bills. I cannot keep my heating on all the time, even though my condition makes it difficult to control my body temperature and the cold makes me unwell. My mortgage interest rate has increased numerous times in the last few months.”

“Making choices I find hard, less freedom, less opportunities. Rising debt with energy companies,  changing our food and cooking habits.”

People with complex disabilities are increasingly in a more precarious financial position. 63% of people with complex disabilities would find it very or somewhat difficult to afford an unexpected bill. 

Nearly half of people with complex disabilities (46%) found it very or somewhat difficult to afford costs related to their condition or impairment.  

“I am in debt with a lot of things and I can’t get the food I need because it cost so much now.”

“I just can’t afford to do anything to support a better quality of life.”