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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
5 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
April 14, 2026
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
Many households are currently facing:
These annual increases often arrive at the same time, creating a sudden financial shock.
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.
Disabled people and those with long term health conditions face higher costs that cannot easily be reduced.
Many disabled households pay more for:
Many people cannot simply work more hours to offset rising costs.
Barriers include:
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.
One of the biggest changes is not just rising costs. It is reduced support.
During the peak crisis, many households received:
In 2026, these payments have stopped, with no new payments announced (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment).
At the same time, changes to Universal Credit mean:
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.
The shift from “living” to “surviving” is already visible across the UK.
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).
Unpaid carers face extreme challenges:
People are now regularly:
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.
The direction of travel is becoming clearer.
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.
No. While inflation has slowed, prices remain high and many forms of support have been withdrawn, leaving many households still struggling.
Because many people are no longer cutting back on non essentials. They are struggling to afford basic needs like food, energy, and housing.
Yes. Most benefits increased in April 2026, but many argue these increases do not match real living costs.
No. These payments have ended, and no new payments have been announced for 2026.
Disabled people often face higher daily costs and may have limited ability to increase income, making them more vulnerable to rising prices.
Yes. Support may include PIP, Attendance Allowance, Universal Credit, local council grants, and charitable support depending on individual circumstances.
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:
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.
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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