Families caring for disabled children face rising cost pressures
More than half of parents of disabled children and young people are skipping meals to pay their bills.
By BBC News
Parents and carers of disabled children are facing severe financial strain, with some cutting back on meals and essentials to cover the extra costs of care.
Families caring for disabled children are facing severe financial pressure as the cost of specialist equipment, energy, travel and everyday essentials continues to rise.
A BBC News report has highlighted the case of a North West mother who said she had cut back on hot meals so she could afford equipment her son depends on.
Her story reflects a wider problem facing many families raising disabled or seriously ill children. For these households, the cost-of-living crisis is not only about higher food or energy bills. It also includes the extra and often unavoidable costs that come with caring.
These can include specialist equipment, higher electricity use, hospital travel, continence supplies, therapies, home adaptations, replacement furniture, accessible transport and additional laundry or heating needs.
Family Fund’s research shows how serious the pressure has become. Its Cost of Caring report found that 54% of parents and carers raising disabled or seriously ill children had cut the size of meals or skipped meals completely, while 92% said they were struggling or falling behind on regular household bills.
For Cheshire families, the issue is likely to feel close to home. Many households across the county are caring for children with complex health needs, disabilities, mobility issues or learning difficulties. Those families may face costs that are much higher than other households, even before normal inflation is taken into account.
A child with medical or care needs may require equipment that runs through the night, extra heating, specialist food, frequent washing, adapted furniture or regular transport to hospital appointments.
At the same time, many parent carers find it difficult to work full-time because of the level of care their child needs. That can reduce household income at the very moment when costs are rising.
This creates a difficult financial trap. Families need more money because caring costs more, but many have less ability to earn because caring takes so much time.
Family Fund’s 2025 research says the additional costs of disability are unavoidable, including higher food bills, extra heating, specialist equipment and increased wear and tear on the home. It also warns that these costs build up while parents and carers are often forced to reduce or leave paid work because of intensive caring responsibilities.
The pressure can also be hidden. From the outside, a family may appear to be coping. Behind closed doors, parents may be missing meals, delaying bills, using credit or going without basic items to keep care arrangements going.
For families caring for disabled children, some costs cannot simply be avoided. Equipment may be essential. Heating may be medically necessary. Travel may be required for hospital care. Specialist food or feeding support may be part of daily life.
That is why the issue is different from ordinary household budgeting. These are not luxury costs. They are often linked directly to a child’s safety, health and quality of life.
The NHS says caring for a disabled child can make everyday parenting tasks such as feeding, toileting and sleep more challenging, and families may need support from professionals including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians and health visitors.
Charities have warned that many families are under sustained strain. Family Fund, which provides grants and services for low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children, says families are struggling with essentials including food, heating and specialist equipment.
For parent carers, the emotional impact can be as serious as the financial pressure. Constant worry about bills, appointments, equipment and support can leave families exhausted.
The BBC report has brought attention to the reality that some parents are putting their own needs last in order to protect their children.
That kind of sacrifice is deeply personal, but it also raises wider questions about whether support systems are keeping pace with the true cost of caring.
Families may be able to access help through disability benefits, local authority support, NHS services, charity grants and school or SEND support. But many parents say the system can be difficult to navigate, with long waits, complex forms and gaps between what is needed and what is funded.
For Cheshire households in this position, the practical message is to seek help early where possible. Families may be able to contact their local council, health visitor, school SEND team, social care team, Citizens Advice, Family Fund or national disability charities for guidance.
But the wider issue remains clear: families caring for disabled children are facing costs that many other households do not see.
The cost of caring is not just financial. It affects work, health, sleep, relationships and family life.
The latest reports show why this issue needs careful attention from government, councils, charities and local communities.
No parent should have to go without basic essentials in order to meet the care needs of their child.