25 November 2010
Waveney MP Peter Aldous is calling on the Government to take action as poverty will be the stark reality for disabled people across the Waveney areas this winter according to a hard-hitting report 'The Cost of Living with Muscle Disease', published on Wednesday (17 November), as rising bills and cuts in financial support leave households battling to cover costs.
The report, published by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, is the result of research into the financial impact of disability on 650 households affected by muscle disease.
For many of those surveyed, health conditions or immobility mean that a well heated home is vital, forcing families to run up unaffordable bills in order to ease symptoms and discomfort. Ventilation equipment required to keep patients with severe muscle disease breathing is raising electricity costs even higher for some homes.
Signing Early Day Motion 1029, ‘Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Cost of Living with Muscle Disease Report’, Mr Aldous said:
“I am appalled by the financial impact of disability on families living with muscle disease. I am backing the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s report and in signing this Early Day Motion in support.”
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is now calling for the Winter Fuel Payment to be urgently extended to people in the most severe category of disability. All people in the UK over the age of 60 are automatically entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment of £125-£400, regardless of their financial status. It can even be claimed from overseas*.
However, with the exception of Cold Weather Payments, an allowance made available when winter temperatures drop below freezing for seven consecutive days, there is no financial support for winter fuel available for disabled people.
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the leading UK charity focusing on muscle disease. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for over 50 years, and is dedicated to improving the lives of all children and adults affected by muscle disease.
It funds world-class research to find effective treatments and cures; provides free practical and emotional support; campaigns to raise awareness and bring about change and awards grants towards the cost of specialist equipment, such as powered wheelchairs.
The report, published by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, is the result of research into the financial impact of disability on 650 households affected by muscle disease.
- Forty percent of households are struggling to cover necessities including heating, gas and water
- High usage of fuel due to immobility and health conditions, paired with rising costs, is resulting in quarterly fuel bills as high as £1,000 for some households
- Eighty percent of households say that the current benefits system is not covering the additional cost of living with a disability.
For many of those surveyed, health conditions or immobility mean that a well heated home is vital, forcing families to run up unaffordable bills in order to ease symptoms and discomfort. Ventilation equipment required to keep patients with severe muscle disease breathing is raising electricity costs even higher for some homes.
Signing Early Day Motion 1029, ‘Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Cost of Living with Muscle Disease Report’, Mr Aldous said:
“I am appalled by the financial impact of disability on families living with muscle disease. I am backing the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s report and in signing this Early Day Motion in support.”
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is now calling for the Winter Fuel Payment to be urgently extended to people in the most severe category of disability. All people in the UK over the age of 60 are automatically entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment of £125-£400, regardless of their financial status. It can even be claimed from overseas*.
However, with the exception of Cold Weather Payments, an allowance made available when winter temperatures drop below freezing for seven consecutive days, there is no financial support for winter fuel available for disabled people.
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign is the leading UK charity focusing on muscle disease. It has pioneered the search for treatments and cures for over 50 years, and is dedicated to improving the lives of all children and adults affected by muscle disease.
It funds world-class research to find effective treatments and cures; provides free practical and emotional support; campaigns to raise awareness and bring about change and awards grants towards the cost of specialist equipment, such as powered wheelchairs.
