Energy bill ‘panic’ for Doncaster mum of disabled son

Ms Tolmie said: “I spent months when I couldn’t spend a single penny on anything else, even food became a problem.

“I didn’t want to get into debt with our electricity and gas.”

She said the upcoming price increase, affecting gas and electricity, had left her “terrified” about the future.

A projected increase in her energy bill in October from £500 per month to £675 had left her in “panic mode”, she said.

“I can’t turn anything off. He can’t go without any of the electrical medical things.”

Una Summerfield, from Contact, a charity for families with disabled children, said staff were being contacted every day by people in a similar position to Ms Tolmie and Lewis.

She added that there was currently limited financial help available.

Meanwhile, parents were often too busy “caring for their children” so did not have time to check what support they could claim.

“They should be creating memories and special moments, not having to worry about their bills and whether they’re going to get into debt and lose their home,” Ms Summerfield said.

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