People must consider protection against long-term disability as new research has highlighted how disabled people pay a ‘penalty' on everyday costs, the Income Protection Task Force (IPTF) has urged.
Research by charity Scope suggested that disabled people in the UK pay £550 on average a month extra on what Scope classify as everyday living costs.
Not only do disabled people have to buy specialist equipment, they are also charged a premium for everyday items, the report highlighted.
Disabled people have to buy more of everyday things such as heating or taxis to work and pay more for everyday products and services such as insurance, travel, clothes and cutlery.
Scope also found that disabled people are twice as likely to have unsecured debt totalling more than half of their household income. They have on average £108,000 fewer savings and assets than non-disabled people.
Disabled people also accumulate, on average, £100,000 less in terms of pensions and savings.
Peter Le Beau, chairman of the Income Protection Task Force said: "This research underlines the real and sadly increased costs of disability. The long-term disabled are already very vulnerable financially because of sick pay provision that is nowhere near as generous as most expect it to be and welfare benefits that are very limited. It is yet another reason why people should consider protection against long-term disability.
"We also need to try to understand better the financial burdens that disabled people face and to remove some of the very unfair surcharges which are highlighted in the report."
The IPTF is going to release details of a year-long campaign to support families affected by a long-term illness to the breadwinner at a launch on May 21st in London.
