More than 150,000 disabled adults across the UK will have at least £400 extra in their pockets each year, after the government confirmed a 7% increase to the Minimum Income Guarantee for working-age adults receiving social care.
For many African, Caribbean and wider diaspora families, where disability care often involves shared household finances and strong family support networks, this change could ease mounting pressure from rising food, heating and energy costs. Social care charges have long been a source of strain for households already navigating health challenges and limited incomes.
From April 2026, working-age adults who receive home care will be allowed to keep more of their income after contributing towards their care costs. This uplift is the largest above-inflation increase in more than a decade and is designed to strengthen the financial safety net for people living with disabilities.
Those who qualify for the disability premium, an additional amount for individuals with greater care needs, could keep up to £510 more per year. For families managing specialist transport, medical appointments and adaptive equipment, that extra money can make a meaningful difference.
The announcement forms part of wider reforms to adult social care and government efforts to support vulnerable people through the cost-of-living crisis.
Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said the government is determined to reform adult social care in a way that supports some of the most vulnerable members of society. He emphasised that from April, thousands of disabled adults will keep hundreds of pounds more each year to help cover everyday essentials.
Advocacy groups have welcomed the move. Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Mencap, described the 7% rise as good news for working-age adults with learning disabilities. He noted that for many years rates did not increase at all, leaving people facing real hardship. While campaigners continue to push for social care to be free at the point of need, he said this above-inflation uplift is a positive step forward.
Alongside the income guarantee increase, the government has confirmed £723 million in funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant for 2026 to 2027. The grant helps older and disabled people adapt their homes to live safely and independently. Last year alone, around 60,000 people benefited from home improvements funded through the scheme.
For diaspora households where multi-generational living is common, home adaptations such as level-access showers, stairlifts, widened doorways and smart assistive technology can be life-changing. They not only improve mobility and dignity but also reduce the need for hospital visits and long-term residential care.
Health experts say preventative home modifications ease pressure on the NHS by reducing falls and accidents, speeding up hospital discharges and enabling people to recover within their communities.
The government has pledged £4.6 billion in additional funding for adult social care by 2028 to 2029. This includes £500 million for the first ever fair pay agreement for care workers, aimed at improving wages and conditions in a sector that has long struggled with recruitment and retention. A new body will be created to negotiate pay and terms between employers and trade unions, marking a significant structural change in how care workers are valued.
Baroness Louise Casey has also been appointed to chair an independent commission into adult social care, with initial recommendations expected later this year. The aim is to build a national care service rooted in fairness, dignity and quality.
From April 2026, other financial support elements will also rise by 3.8%, including the personal expenses allowance for those in residential care and protections for individuals over State Pension age.
For many disabled adults within diaspora communities, who may face additional barriers such as language access, cultural stigma around disability or limited awareness of entitlements, understanding these changes is crucial. The increase to the Minimum Income Guarantee means more financial breathing room and greater stability at a time when many households are under pressure.
Chijos News will continue to provide diaspora-focused reporting on social care reform, disability rights and cost-of-living policies that directly affect families across the UK.
