I use candles for light and skip meals so my girls can eat after my energy bills soared to £760 a month
A MUM has revealed how she is forced to go without food to make sure her children can eat as her energy bills soar to £760 a month.
Struggling single-mother Nicola Elson, 32, spends her nights sat alone by candlelight and away from her children due to the mounting cost of living.
The mother-of-five moved into her two bedroom flat in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, in March 2021, but the apartment's bills have since risen by over £200 a month - and she now claims "everything I make goes into the meter."
The energy price cap jumped in April, adding hundreds of pounds to the average household's bills.
Nicola is on a prepayment meter, which needs to be topped up and is more expensive than a standard meter.
More prepayment customers than ever are cutting themselves off from gas and electricity due to the sky-high prices.
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The cap for prepayment meter customers soared last month, rising from £1,307 to £2,017 in April.
In comparison, the energy price cap for standard meters climbed to £1,971, although actual bills depend on individual usage.
Nicola says that the surging bills have put such a strain on her family to the point where her kids can't stay with their mum most evenings.
"I'm constantly worrying how I’m going to put money on the meter, put food on the table or even have my children stay over.
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"There have been times I have had to pick food or electric, or I have had to borrow off friends and family to get things I have ran out of," said Ms Elson.
Nicola's bills have risen so high that they now cost hundreds of pounds more than her rent.
Often struggling to make ends meet through her job as a cleaner, she has to keep most appliances turned off in her home, and switches on the oven just four times a month to cook in bulk for the weekdays.
Despite her frugal-lifestyle, the cleaner said provider ScottishPower blamed her use of appliances as the reason behind her high costs when she first moved in - despite only owning a fridge-freezer, kettle, oven, and TV at the time.
'IT'S UNFAIR'
Ever since, mounting prices have devastated Elson's family life.
Nicola says she has "had to give up so much," and has been taking medication for anxiety and depression due to the pain of living without her children.
"I have given up having my other children stay over at the weekends, I have had to give up family days out.
“I can’t do nice things with them or give them what a mother should be."
In May, Nicola was offered a £40 top-up code to help her keep up with her electricity requirements, which she believed she did not have to pay back.
But after calling for a new code every two days until December, Ms Elson was shocked to hear that she could not receive any more, as her provider said they "don't like to put our customers in debt."
The single mother is now speaking out to urge electricity companies to do something to help families like hers.
"It is unfair and upsetting. I just want things to change so that companies can’t do this to people,” said Nicola.
A ScottishPower spokesperson said: “We’ve been actively investigating the issues raised by Ms Elson, which are complex and involve a number of factors including whether the meter she had fitted is the best one for her type of property and energy use, the significant level of top-ups provided to the account – which require to be repaid – and resolving outstanding billing issues.
"Ms Elson has now chosen to pursue the matter with the Energy Ombudsman rather than the Extra Help Unit, therefore we will continue to do what we can to support the Ombudsman’s investigation, including arranging a customer liaison visit, but we will only be able to reach resolution once the Ombudsman’s due process has concluded.”
What help is available?
If you're struggling to keep up with energy bill payments, there is help available.
Prepayment meter customers might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
The fuel voucher scheme is run by the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and it's offered through a range of organisations, like food banks and Citizens Advice.
Ask your local council - you can find yours via - where you can collect a fuel voucher from.
Energy companies will usually offer customers emergency credit when their meter reaches zero - but you will have to pay this back.
British Gas recently doubled the amount customers can get in an emergency due to the cost of living crisis.
Suppliers also offer grants and extra cash through charitable funds.
For example, British Gas and Octopus both have funds to help households who are struggling to pay.
Other organisations including charities can also help you pay some or all of your bill, or pay off arrears.
There are around 8,000 charities and organisations in the UK that offer cash to help struggling families.
Turn2Us has a so you can find out what help is available to you.
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Meanwhile, local councils are giving out cash top help households struggling with bills and other essential costs.
Get in touch with your local authority to find out whether you're eligible for any help through the Household Support Fund.
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