Cost of living boost announced for 150,000 adults worth £400 per year
More than 150,000 working‑age disabled adults receiving social care will be able to keep at least £400 extra each year from April after the Government confirmed a significant above‑inflation increase to financial support thresholds.
Ministers have announced a seven per cent rise to the minimum income guarantee, the largest real‑terms increase in more than a decade, as part of wider measures aimed at helping vulnerable households manage living costs.
The change means people receiving care in the community will retain more income after paying charges linked to home care and other local authority social care services.
Under existing legislation, social care charges cannot reduce a person’s income below a protected level.
The latest changes strengthen that safeguard for working‑age disabled adults, who often face higher everyday living costs.
The minimum income guarantee applies to people receiving social care while continuing to live in their own homes rather than in residential settings.
Many disabled people currently contribute towards their care using disability benefits, leaving limited disposable income for essential expenses.
Campaigners have long warned that care charges can leave individuals with very little remaining income once food, clothing, energy bills, water charges and insurance are accounted for.
Above-inflation rise to minimum income guarantee alongside home adaptation funding increase confirmed
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Rates were frozen for several years, which advocacy groups say contributed to financial hardship.
People with higher levels of disability who qualify for additional disability premiums are expected to benefit further, with some forecast to receive up to £510 more each year.
Officials said the additional income is intended to help cover core household spending including heating, food and basic utilities.
Alongside income support measures, the Government confirmed £723million will be allocated to the Disabled Facilities Grant next year to support home adaptations for older and disabled people.
Disabled adults will benefit from the support
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The programme helped around 60,000 people last year to make property modifications such as stairlifts, ramps, widened doorways and accessible bathrooms, enabling them to live independently for longer.
The current upper grant limit is £30,000, though councils can exceed this cap where individual circumstances justify additional support.
Regional allocations show the North West receiving the largest share at £124.3million, followed by the South East at £115million and London at nearly £96million.
These adaptations also support wider NHS capacity by helping prevent falls, reducing hospital admissions and enabling faster discharge.
Health services are expected to benefit indirectly through reduced demand linked to avoidable injuries and delayed discharges.
The North West will receive the largest share of the support
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GETTYStephen Kinnock, care minister, said: “We are determined to not only reform adult social care but do it in a way that helps some of the most vulnerable people in society with the daily pressures they face.
“From April, more than 150,000 disabled adults will keep hundreds of pounds more each year — putting extra money back into their pockets to help with everyday costs.”
He said the measures form part of wider Government plans to develop a national care service focused on quality, fairness and dignity.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Mencap, said: “This inflation‑busting seven per cent is a welcome step in the right direction,” though the organisation continues to campaign for a long‑term system where social care is free at the point of need.
The measures are expected to take effect from April as part of wider social care funding and reform planning.
Officials said further details on implementation will be confirmed alongside local authority guidance ahead of the new financial year.
