On 17 February, DHSC announced a decision to uprate the Minimum Income Guarantee for working-age disabled adults by 7%. The Minimum Income Guarantee is the minimum amount of money a person should have left over each week for living costs (like food and bills), after contributing to their care costs.

Jackie O’Sullivan, Co-Chair of the Care and Support Alliance, said:

“The Government’s decision to uprate the Minimum Income Guarantee for working age disabled adults accessing social care by 7% is welcome news, and relates to one of the key asks in the Care and Support Alliance’s Show Us You Care campaign which reached every single MP.

“For many years, Minimum Income Guarantee rates were frozen for working-age disabled adults, which plunged many people into poverty. Some people even had to turn away the care they so desperately needed because they couldn’t afford it. Ideally, people shouldn’t have to dip into their benefits to fund their care, but that doesn’t stop us welcoming the fact that so many people who rely on care and support will be better off.”