Cost of living vs survival UK: what’s changed?

Last reviewed: 11 April 2026
Applies to: UK
Written by: Georgina, Founder of Purpl

The UK’s “cost of living crisis” has not disappeared. For many disabled people and households on benefits, it has shifted into something more serious.

In 2026, rising costs and reduced support mean many people are no longer trying to maintain a standard of living. They are trying to meet basic needs like food, energy, and housing.

This is why more people now describe the situation as a “cost of survival” crisis.

If you are unsure what support is available, our Purpl Disability Benefits and Support Handbook can help you understand what you may be entitled to.

At a glance

Prices remain high despite slower inflation
Cost of living payments have ended
April 2026 bill increases are hitting now
Disabled households face higher unavoidable costs
Many people are now struggling with basic needs

What does “cost of survival” actually mean?

For years, the phrase “cost of living crisis” described rising prices. In 2026, many people say that phrase no longer reflects reality.

Instead, we are seeing a shift towards what many call the “cost of survival.”

This is not about cutting back on luxuries. It is about covering essentials.

People now report:

Choosing between heating and eating
Skipping meals or medication
Falling behind on rent or bills
Relying on food banks or emergency support

Recent reporting shows that financial pressure has become constant rather than temporary (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/06/struggling-families-like-mine-cost-of-living-survival).

Purpl Tip: If you are struggling with essentials, check your local council support schemes. Many offer emergency grants or household support funds that are not widely advertised.

What’s changed since the peak of the cost of living crisis?

At first glance, things may appear more stable.

Inflation has slowed. Benefits increased slightly in April 2026. Energy prices are no longer rising as sharply.

But the reality is more complex.

Costs remain high

Prices have not returned to previous levels. Food, rent, and energy costs remain significantly higher than before 2022.

This means households still feel the impact daily.

April increases are hitting now

Many households are currently facing:

Council tax rises
Water bill increases
Broadband and service price hikes

These annual increases often arrive at the same time, creating a sudden financial shock.

Support has not kept pace

Benefits increased in April 2026, but many people say these increases do not reflect real living costs (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027).

Purpl Tip: If your bills have increased, ask providers about social tariffs. Many companies offer reduced rates for people on benefits or with disabilities.

Why disabled people are being hit hardest

Disabled people and those with long term health conditions face higher costs that cannot easily be reduced.

Higher unavoidable costs

Many disabled households pay more for:

Energy usage, including heating and medical equipment
Transport, especially where public transport is inaccessible
Specialist food or medical needs

Limited ability to increase income

Many people cannot simply work more hours to offset rising costs.

Barriers include:

Health limitations
Lack of flexible or accessible jobs
Workplace accessibility issues

Benefits do not reflect real costs

Even with annual increases, benefits often fall short of the true cost of disability.

Research consistently shows disabled households need significantly more income to reach the same standard of living.

Purpl Insight: The system assumes everyone can adapt to rising costs. For many disabled people, those costs are fixed and unavoidable.

The hidden shift: support has reduced

One of the biggest changes is not just rising costs. It is reduced support.

Cost of living payments have ended

During the peak crisis, many households received:

Cost of living payments worth hundreds of pounds
Additional disability-specific support

In 2026, these payments have stopped, with no new payments announced (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment).

Universal Credit changes

At the same time, changes to Universal Credit mean:

New claimants may receive less through the health element
Payments may not keep up with inflation

This creates a gap between rising costs and available support.

Purpl Tip: If your income has dropped, check for discretionary housing payments or local hardship funds. These can provide short term financial support.

Real-life impact: from managing to struggling

The shift from “living” to “surviving” is already visible across the UK.

Rising homelessness risk

Reports show increasing numbers of older adults and disabled people face homelessness due to rising housing costs and limited support (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/apr/08/over-55s-facing-homelessness-rising-costs-social-housing).

Carers under pressure

Unpaid carers face extreme challenges:

Many provide over 100 hours of care each week
Carer’s Allowance equates to very low hourly support
Financial pressure continues to increase

Daily compromises

People are now regularly:

Skipping meals
Turning off heating completely
Avoiding medical appointments due to cost

This is no longer about budgeting better. It reflects a lack of sufficient income.

Purpl Insight: When people start cutting essentials, the system is no longer supporting survival. It is failing it.

What this means going forward

The direction of travel is becoming clearer.

More focus on moving people into work
Less direct financial support
Greater reliance on local or short term help

For disabled people, this creates a difficult balance.

Policies may encourage work, but they do not always address the financial and structural barriers that remain.

Purpl Tip: Stay informed about your rights and available support. The system is changing, and understanding it can help you protect your income.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the cost of survival crisis

Is the cost of living crisis over in the UK?

No. While inflation has slowed, prices remain high and many forms of support have been withdrawn, leaving many households still struggling.

Why are people calling it a “cost of survival” crisis?

Because many people are no longer cutting back on non essentials. They are struggling to afford basic needs like food, energy, and housing.

Are benefits increasing in 2026?

Yes. Most benefits increased in April 2026, but many argue these increases do not match real living costs.

Are cost of living payments still available?

No. These payments have ended, and no new payments have been announced for 2026.

Why are disabled people more affected?

Disabled people often face higher daily costs and may have limited ability to increase income, making them more vulnerable to rising prices.

Can disabled people get extra support?

Yes. Support may include PIP, Attendance Allowance, Universal Credit, local council grants, and charitable support depending on individual circumstances.

In summary

The UK has not moved beyond the cost of living crisis. It has shifted into something more severe.

For many disabled people and households on benefits:

Costs remain high
Support has reduced
Financial pressure is constant

The result is a move away from maintaining a standard of living towards simply meeting basic needs.

For many, this is no longer about living. It is about surviving.

About the author

Georgina is the Founder of Purpl, a platform dedicated to helping disabled people and those with long term health conditions save money and access support. Living with disability herself, she understands the real financial pressures people face and works to make support clearer, fairer, and easier to access.

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Cost of living vs cost of survival: what’s really changed in the UK?