Disabled people forced to skip hot meals to charge equipment

Citizens Advice Scotland said more than 40,000 households with a disabled person have made that decision.

The advice charity said the findings show the “hidden” impact of the cost-of-living crisis on disabled people.

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The charity said one woman sought advice from her local Citizens Advice Bureau due to a £1600 energy debt associated with running her disabled daughter’s medical devices.

Her energy supplier doubled her bill to £300 per month to bring down her arrears.

CAS said she couldn’t afford these payments and sought information about grants to cover the cost of running the medical devices.

Stephanie Millar, CAS Social Justice spokesperson, said: “We know the cost-of-living crisis has meant people have faced impossible choices when it comes to their spending and energy use, but the potential scale here is absolutely horrifying.

“This crisis has impacted disabled people on a far greater scale than others might recognise.  Anyone who is worried about bills and money this winter should seek advice from the CAB network.

“That doesn’t have to mean going to a CAB, our online advice pages are used by millions of people a year and we have interactive self-help tools to help people see where they could boost their incomes or cut their costs.”

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CAS said, last year the average gain from energy-related advice from across the network was more than £400.

Advice gains generally for those who saw a benefit was more than £3700.

Ms Miller added: “That can be absolutely life-changing money this winter. We don’t judge, we just help.”

As part of the “Worried This Winter” campaign, the charity is encouraging people to seek help from the Citizens Advice network in a variety of ways. People can visit www.cas.org.uk/worried  and from there they can choose an option that works for them.