Seven discounts and grants disabled households could be missing out on

With disabled households facing continued pressure from rising living costs, knowing about and navigating the support available can be just as challenging as qualifying for it.

Recent research found that 49% of disabled people with complex needs receiving benefits could not apply without help from friends, family or a support service.

That's why Matt Ward, Home Mobility & Accessibility Expert at Manage At Home, has highlighted 7 discounts, grants and support schemes worth checking, for the UK's 16.7 million disabled population - from £200-a-year broadband savings to £30,000 home adaptation grants.

Navigating Essential Support Beyond Standard Benefits

Matt Ward, Home Mobility & Accessibility Expert at Manage At Home, comments:

“With water, energy and transport bills rising sharply in 2026, the UK’s cost-of-living crisis continues to intensify. Consumer prices are now 28% higher than five years ago, with inflation rising by a further 2.9% in the year to July - placing significant financial pressure on the UK’s 16.7 million disabled people.

“Disability support extends far beyond Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and other regular benefit payments. Depending on individual circumstances, help may be available with adapting homes for accessibility purposes, paying council tax, travelling, studying, working and accessing essential utilities.

“At the same time, accessing available support can be difficult. Recent research found that 49% of disabled people with complex needs receiving benefits could not apply for support without help from friends, family or a support service, while 37% found it difficult to apply for support.

“Many people are not routinely made aware of the additional support available, and schemes often require separate applications, as receiving PIP, holding a Blue Badge or telling a council about a disability does not necessarily mean someone will automatically be considered for other help.

“With eligibility rules varying across schemes, the burden often falls on individuals to find and research each option themselves - a process that can be inaccessible, time-consuming and difficult to navigate.

“That is why we have highlighted some key 7 discounts and services available as a starting point. Checking each scheme individually could uncover support worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds.”

Seven Key Grants, Tariffs, and Allowances to Check

1. At least 3.5 million eligible households could be missing broadband savings of up to £200 a year

Over 500,000 households in Britain are saving up to £200 per year by using a fixed broadband or mobile social tariff in 2025 - which offers discounts to those on disability or income-related benefits. However, Ofcom estimates suggest that between four million and eight million households could potentially qualify, depending on individual providers’ rules - this means at least 3.5 million households are eligible for support but are not currently claiming such discounts.

Unlike introductory broadband deals, social tariffs also normally have fixed prices and do not charge early termination fees.

Eligibility is generally linked to means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. Some providers also accept customers receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance, but the qualifying benefits vary.

Social tariffs are not always advertised prominently and customers are not necessarily moved onto one automatically. Households should check Ofcom’s current list of tariffs and contact their provider directly.

If a customer’s existing provider does not offer a social tariff, they may be able to switch without paying an exit fee.

2. Fewer than three in ten known disabled students received Disabled Students’ Allowance

As a record 262,820 UK 18-year-olds prepare to begin university or college this autumn, with research estimating that at least 18% of UK university students have a disability, this means that around 47,000 students joining university this term may have a disability.

In England, eligible students can receive up to £27,783 through Disabled Students’ Allowance during the 2026/27 academic year, depending on their assessed study needs.

Disabled Students Allowance can fund specialist equipment, assistive technology, non-medical support and additional travel costs. It is based on individual needs rather than household income, and most support is paid directly to suppliers or providers rather than given to students as cash.

Students should begin by checking their eligibility and applying through their student finance account; those who do not receive Student Finance England funding can apply using a separate DSA form.

3. 2 million Brits eligible for a Blue Badge without further assessment do not have one

Government figures released this year reveal that 3.22 million people in England were eligible for a Blue Badge without needing further assessment.

However, only 1.20 million, or 37%, held one. That leaves approximately 2.02 million eligible people without a Blue Badge, equivalent to nearly two-thirds of the eligible population.

Not everyone eligible will need or want a badge, particularly if they do not travel by car. However, the proportion holding one has fallen from 46% in 2020 to 37% in 2025, suggesting awareness or uptake may also be an issue.

A Blue Badge will generally allow free parking at on-street meters and pay-and-display bays in England. Although savings vary according to local rules and individual travel habits, the financial benefit can add up.

For example, somebody avoiding a £3 parking charge once a week could save approximately £156 a year, or £312 if parking twice weekly.

4. One million households could be living without the home adaptations they need

The latest comprehensive English Housing Survey estimated that approximately 1.9 million households required at least one home adaptation - and around one million did not have all the adaptations they needed.

Disabled Facilities Grants can help fund essential changes such as installing ramps, widening doors, improving access to bathrooms or adapting heating and lighting controls. In England, applicants may receive up to £30,000, although adult applications are normally means-tested.

Households that include a member with a disability should begin by asking their council for a home needs assessment rather than arranging expensive work themselves, as starting work before the council approves an application could mean the household is unable to recover the cost.

Private tenants can also apply and landlords can apply on behalf of tenants, so renters should not assume the scheme is limited to homeowners or council properties.

5. One in six households unaware of free water support - as discounts can save hundreds

Around 3.1 million customers were registered for water priority services in England and Wales in 2023/24. However, Ofwat research found that one in six households were unaware of the free support and would like to register.

Registration can provide accessible bills, meter-reading help, advance warning of interruptions and priority bottled-water deliveries. It does not automatically reduce bills, but customers may separately qualify for WaterSure or a social tariff.

Around 260,000 WaterSure households save an average of £325 annually, while some water-company social tariffs reduce bills by 50% or more. Customers should ask their provider to check every support scheme available.

6. Access to Work supported more than 74,000 people last year - but 73% of workers with long-term conditions have never heard of it

Access to Work is a government scheme that can fund practical support for disabled people and those with physical or mental health conditions to start or remain in work. This can include specialist equipment, assistive software, support workers, workplace coaching and additional travel costs where public transport is inaccessible.

However, government research found that 73% of workers with a long-term health condition had never heard of the scheme.

In 2024/25, 74,190 customers received at least one Access to Work payment. Workers should check their eligibility and apply directly through GOV.UK. Access to Work provides support beyond the reasonable adjustments an employer is legally expected to make.

7. Over 7 million households should check if they qualify for council tax discounts through the Disabled Band Reduction

Census figures indicate that approximately 32% of households in England contain at least one disabled person, equivalent to around 7.5 million households.

However, as of 10 September 2025, only around 143,000 properties were receiving Disabled Band Reduction, which enables eligible households to have their Council Tax calculated as though their property were one band lower. This means over 7 million disabled households should check their eligibility for this rate reduction.

Households can check their eligibility through their council. The property must normally contain an additional room, bathroom or kitchen needed by the disabled resident, or sufficient indoor space for wheelchair use. Band A properties can also qualify.

Based on England’s average Band D Council Tax bills, moving from Band D to Band C could save around £21 a month, or £253 a year, although savings vary locally.