the-energy-penalty-disability-and-fuel-poverty-pdf

1. IntroductionThis report sets out the findings of a research study for eaga CharitableTrust project on the energy needs of disabled people and families withdisabled children.The objectives of the study were to:Help to achieve a better understanding of the needs andcircumstances of disabled people and families with disabled childrenin relation to energyHighlight the likely impact of changes in benefits affecting disabledpeople and how disability benefits are regarded in fuel povertycalculationsHelp to improve government policies and industry practices so thatthey better meet the needs of disabled people, many of whom are inor on the margins of fuel poverty.Risks of fuel povertyDisabled people are at greater risk than non-disabled people of being on alow income and also of living in homes which are difficult to keep warm,both of which are widely accepted causes of fuel poverty. To compoundmatters, disabled people are likely to face additional financial pressures ontop of everyday living needs, for example, to pay for accessible transport,dietary requirements, aids and equipment among many others.Energy needs figure prominently in the essential additional costs whichconfront large numbers of disabled people and families with disabledchildren. The most obvious reason is the need to keep their homeconstantly warm, for example, due to physical and medical conditions orthe side-effects of treatment.However, the reasons why many disabled people have additional energyneeds are far more varied than is often commonly understood. This reportexplores the nature of disabled people’s energy needs and highlights someof the potentially serious consequences for their health and well-being ifthese needs are not adequately met.Fuel poverty calculations and benefit changesThe report also discusses the Government’s plans for the way in which fuelpoverty is measured in England, in particular, its intention to continue toinclude disability benefits, such as the current Disability Living Allowance(DLA), as income in the calculations. Unless this decision is reversed, thiscourse of action will continue to result in under-estimates of the numbers ofdisabled people who are in fuel poverty. The policy also flies in the face ofthe intended purpose of disability benefits, which are aimed at meetingextra costs of disability, and should not therefore be treated as disposableincome. The report also outlines a number of major benefit changes whichare due to take effect in 2013. The consequences of these developments9