Energy bills set to rise in April will disproportionately affect families with disabled children

2 mins read

Monday 24 January 2022

Tags: disability, counting the costs, energy bills, price cap

The energy price cap which most families’ bills are now based on is predicted to go up by 50% in April.

Ofgem is due to unveil the price cap rise for 15 million families on 7 February, which will come into effect on 1 April. The rise is due to increased costs around the world for energy, and it is estimated that it could add £600 to bills. But Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert believes most are better sticking with the price cap.

Families with disabled children often have higher energy costs

Over the last 10 years Contact’s Counting the Costs research has highlighted the challenges many families with disabled children face heating their homes.

Families with disabled children often experience higher energy costs due to equipment powered by electricity and extra washing due to continence issues. Some disabled children are less mobile and get colder quicker and others have health conditions which mean they can’t regulate their body temperature.

Special tariff for households with disabled children needed

Una Summerson, Contact’s Head of Policy, said: “For parents with children who have health conditions seriously impacted by the cold, or respiratory issues impacted by damp – the anxiety and the consequences of rising energy bills are more severe. Upsettingly, a third of families who answered our Counting the Costs survey last summer said that pressure on household finances was negatively affecting the health of their child. That’s why we are calling on the government and energy companies to introduce a special tariff for households with sick and disabled children due to rising bills.”

Help with fuel bills

There is help available so make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to.

Energy saving tips

It is worth checking to see if you can decrease the amount of energy you use.

Financial help

And if you are struggling with finances and debt try our online benefits calculator. Or our online grants search.