Cost of disability to hit £14,688 annually - ''It's getting more expensive just to exist'

Disabled households in the UK are set to face an annual "disability price tag" of £14,688 - an increase of nearly 12% over the past five years - as the cost of essentials continues to rise. This figure, equivalent to more than £1,224 per month, represents the amount disability charities say is needed for disabled people to maintain the same standard of living as non-disabled people.

The growing affordability crisis has led to more disabled people seeking support. According to Government data released in June, the number of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants has risen to 3.7 million, a 2% increase since January. Research by the disability charity Scope highlights that disabled households currently face an average monthly shortfall of £630, as benefits cover less than half of their additional costs.

The average PIP payment is £465 per month, while extra costs average £1,095, leaving many struggling to make ends meet. This shortfall is projected to increase to £704 a month by 2030.

Georgina Colman, 48, from Hampshire, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2003 and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 2024. She said: "I spend money every month on therapies, heating, and assisted tech just to manage my MS. These aren't luxuries - they're survival. Life is expensive when you're disabled, and it's only getting worse."

Ms Colman, who is the founder of Purpl, the UK's first discount platform for disabled people, said she has been claiming both the daily living and mobility component of PIP for around five years.

She told Express.co.uk: "They don't cover my costs and I suspect for many others, costs are even greater, especially if they rely on having a carer."

Ms Colman added: "I speak to people every day, and those outside of the disabled community have no idea of the realities of the costs that come with being disabled. They are always shocked when I give examples of things like neuro-physiotherapy costs, or costs for a wheelchair when someone is permanently in one."

For Ms Colman, her neuro-physiotherapy costs £130 an hour, and she goes twice a month.

Ms Colman launched Purpl to ease the pressure on disabled people by providing exclusive discounts on essentials, including food, utilities, mobility products, and more. A membership costs £4.99 for the first year and £9.99 per year after that.

Using the discounts, Purpl says members can save over £1,400 a year on a range of brands, from Morrisons, Hoover and Ninja, to the Cinema Society.

Ms Colman said her son's student discount was what inspired her to launch Purpl. She said, "There was nothing for the disabled community. We are the one community that faces significant financial challenges due to increased costs, difficulties in finding suitable employment, and pay gaps for able-bodied vs. non-able-bodied people.

"I wanted to help my community save money so they have the opportunity to afford things beyond health costs. My long-term mission is to launch a foundation so I can give grants to those who can't afford access to things that would make a difference to their quality of life."

Research from Purpl shows that 89% of disabled people spend their PIP benefit on essentials such as household bills, mobility aids, healthcare, travel and food.

Andy Tomo, another PIP claimant, said: "At the moment, I use it [PIP] to travel to work and for aids to help me work. Without it, I wouldn't be able to keep my job, and I'd be forced onto full-time benefits."

More than half (56%) of Purpl's survey respondents said they were most affected by increased food prices, followed by energy costs.

Ms Colman said: "It has been proven that it is more expensive to live as a disabled person. I've already seen the cost of my therapies rise - they keep my body mobile. If people can't afford these, they'll turn to the NHS, which is already overstretched."

After a backbench rebellion, the Government recently shelved its controversial plans to reform PIP, vowing to implement changes only after a review.

The reforms, which were due to take effect in November 2026, were meant to help cut the costs of the benefit bytightening the eligibility criteria. The changes would have meant that only the most severely disabled people would qualify for the daily living element.

Without the reforms, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) estimated that the number of working-age people claiming PIP would rise to 4.3 million over the next five years, costing £34.1billion annually.

But charities argued the changes were "immoral and devastating" for those they represent and could "push more disabled people into poverty".

Ms Colman said: "I think that the PIP process does need changing, but I believe comparing mental disabilities with physical ones is like comparing apples and pears. There should be separate forms with questions that actually make sense.

"Also, for conditions like MS, why is there a need for continuous reviews? There is no magic cure right now, so they should stop putting people through the stress and trauma."