Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what support is available for people with Parkinson’s disease with (a) gas and electricity bills, (b) food and (c) additional targeted support.

The Government recognises that the rising cost of living has presented additional financial challenges, especially to the most vulnerable members of society such as disabled people and people with long-term health conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

The Government extended energy support by keeping the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) at £2,500 from April through to June, saving the average household an additional £160. This brings the total Government support for energy bills to £1,500 for a typical household since October 2022.

If individuals have extra-costs arising from their Parkinson’s disease, then they may qualify for disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Attendance Allowance (AA). If eligible for these benefits as a result of their Parkinson’s disease, individuals may have also been eligible for the two £150 Disability Cost of Living Payments the Government has delivered in 2022 and 2023.

Those in need of further assistance may be able to access additional support through the Household Support Fund (HSF) in England. This allows Local Authorities to provide crisis support to vulnerable households, such as through supermarket vouchers or partnering with food banks. The Government has provided £1bn, including Barnett funding for the Devolved Administrations, to deliver the HSF this financial year.