Cost of living and support for people with a learning disability or autistic people

The existing disadvantage people with a learning disability and autistic people experience is likely to mean that the current rising costs of fuel, food and other essentials will place them at greater risk of both immediate hardship and reduced opportunity and wellbeing.

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The existing disadvantage people with a learning disability and autistic people experience is likely to mean that the current rising costs of fuel, food and other essentials will place them at greater risk of both immediate hardship and reduced opportunity and wellbeing.

There is evidence from research that even prior to the covid pandemic and the current cost of living crisis disabled people and their family carers are often poorer than the general population. So, it is likely that council staff in learning disability and autistic people teams will be tackling issues relating to cost of living pressures and working hard to support people.

The LGA has set up a cost-of-living hub, with case studies, resources, data and a new bulletin to help councils deliver support to residents. The Care and Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) has also set out below specific tips and resources that will be useful for council staff who need to support people with a learning disability or autistic people over the coming months.

Issues to consider

  • Teams working with people with a learning disability or autistic people have a role to play in ensuring the needs of this group are not overlooked in any council wide work on the cost of living.
  • Any council action to support residents with current cost of living issues will need to consider the best way to communicate with people with a learning disability and autistic people. Reasonable adjustments will need to be made to ensure people can access information and get the support they need.
  • It is good practice to co-produce an action plan to support people with cost-of-living issues with them.
  • Local and national voluntary and community sector organisations can be helpful in offering information and support, so working to help this sector respond can be a useful approach. Local advocacy organisations can also get involved.
  • The social care workforce, personal assistants and family carers are a key resource in making sure information gets to people needing support, so is important to ensure these groups get the information they need to enable them to support people.
  • Council or voluntary sector welfare rights teams can help learning disabled or autistic people check they are receiving all the help available from the benefit system, energy companies and others.
  • There is evidence that financial concerns can lead to mental health issues which can then lead to breakdown in family or individual support and care situations that have been stable up to now. Early action can therefore prevent situations deteriorating.
  • Its important to note that many people with a mild to moderate learning disability will be impacted and they may have limited contact with the council. Lessons learnt about contacting people in during the covid pandemic may be helpful.

Resources

Data