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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
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© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
4 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
March 24, 2026
Last reviewed: 24 March 2026
Applies to: UK
Written by: Georgina, Founder of Purpl
If you are disabled or living with a long term health condition and struggling with debt, support is available in the UK. You can access free debt advice, legal protections, breathing space schemes, and financial support that takes your situation into account. In many cases, your disability should change how creditors treat you, especially if it affects your ability to manage money or communicate.
If you are unsure whether you are receiving all the financial support you are entitled to, you can check using the Purpl Disability Benefits Guide or a benefits calculator.
Disabled people often face higher living costs, including mobility needs, energy bills, specialist equipment, and transport. These extra costs can quickly lead to debt, especially when income is limited.
Research from Scope shows disabled households need on average hundreds of pounds more per month to achieve the same standard of living (https://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/extra-costs/).
Debt also becomes harder to manage when your condition affects your ability to work, communicate, or keep up with payments.
Purpl Insight: Debt is not just about money. For many disabled people, it reflects systemic barriers and extra costs that others simply do not face.
You do not have to deal with debt alone. Several trusted organisations offer free, expert support.
You can contact:
These services help you:
Purpl Tip: Always choose a free debt advice service. Avoid companies that charge fees for help you can get for free.
Yes. Under the Equality Act 2010, creditors must make reasonable adjustments if you are disabled (https://www.gov.uk/definition-of-disability-under-equality-act-2010).
This can include:
In some cases, yes. If your condition is long term and limits your ability to repay, creditors may:
Debt advisers can help you present medical evidence to support this.
Purpl Insight: Your health matters more than your debt. The law recognises that and gives you protections.
The Breathing Space scheme gives you temporary protection from creditors.
There are two types:
During this time:
You can apply through a debt adviser (https://www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/breathing-space).
If you have low income, low assets, and debts under a certain threshold, a DRO could write off your debts after 12 months (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-apply-for-a-debt-relief-order-dro).
Benefits like PIP are not means tested and can support your income while managing debt (https://www.gov.uk/pip).
Some benefits may also help you:
Purpl Tip: Always tell your debt adviser about your benefits. It can change which solutions are available to you.
They will:
Try to gather:
You do not need everything to start. Advisors will guide you step by step.
Purpl Insight: The hardest step is reaching out. Once you do, things usually feel more manageable very quickly.
Yes. You can access all debt advice services regardless of income. Benefits like PIP do not stop you from getting help.
No. Debt does not directly affect benefits like PIP, as it is not means tested (https://www.gov.uk/pip).
No. Bailiffs cannot take essential items such as medical equipment or mobility aids (https://www.gov.uk/your-rights-bailiffs).
You can access Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space, which gives stronger protections during treatment (https://www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/breathing-space).
They must make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act if your disability affects how you manage debt.
Yes. Many charities and advisers specialise in disability-related financial issues, and they understand the extra costs and barriers you face.
Debt can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re already dealing with a disability or long term health condition. But you are not alone, and support exists.
Free advice services, legal protections, and government schemes can reduce pressure, pause enforcement, and in some cases remove debt entirely. The key step is reaching out and getting the right support early.
Georgina is the Founder of Purpl, a platform dedicated to helping disabled people save money and access the support they deserve. Living with long term health conditions herself, she understands the financial pressures many people face and created Purpl to make everyday life more affordable and inclusive.
Financial Crisis Support Across the UK
Scope Disability Energy Support for Disabled People
EDF Warm Home Discount Scheme: Energy Help and Support for Vulnerable Households
How to Get Help When Energy Bills Rise