A charity working to create greater independence for disabled people is urging families to apply to a support fund.
Family Fund works with young people aged between 18 and 24 to help improve their quality of life and help them transition into adulthood.
But with the cost of living crisis, the charity says families are now finding even harder to afford the support needed.
The charity has helped more than 2,000 people through its Your Opportunity scheme – and funding is now available to help more than 1,000 by next spring.
Cheryl Ward, Family Fund’s chief executive officer, said:
“Raising a disabled or seriously ill child is three times more expensive than raising other children.
“When a child reaches 18, we know they lose an average of 57% of the support and benefits they had before they reached adulthood, so costs are even higher for families.
“This financial cliff-edge can be very tough for parents and carers of young adults, but when the cost of living is rising ever higher, and families are having to cut down on essentials like food and heating, there is little room for the extras which improve a young person’s quality of life.”
Cherry Ward, Family Fund
The grants on offer help fund things such as computers to help with education or hobbies, transport costs, membership fees, white goods and specialist wheelchairs for sport.
Families are eligible to apply if the young person lives at home with their parent or main carer. For more details visit the Family Fund website.
