One in four people with MS will not be able to heat their home this winter
Today we released some new research on how rising energy bills are impacting people with MS. Hear from Kelly who lives with MS. And find out what we're asking the new Prime Minister to do in September.
Our new research has found that a quarter of people living with MS won’t be able to heat their homes this winter.
For people who claim means-tested benefits like Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC), this figure is even higher, at two in five.
The energy regulator Ofgem will announce the new energy price cap on Friday. This is the maximum price households can be charged for each unit of energy they use. The new cap will come into effect on 1 October 2022, in England, Wales and Scotland. There’s no price cap in Northern Ireland, where charges can rise more often.
Experts predict the price cap is going to rise a lot. We know this is very worrying news. And that’s why we’re calling on the new Prime Minister to take urgent action.
What does this mean for people with MS?
Kelly Green is 45-years-old and lives in Pontypridd, South Wales. She lives with relapsing remitting MS and has two children. Kelly's symptoms include difficulty walking, balance issues, fatigue, and vision problems. This means she's no longer able to work.
She claims Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP). But the amount she receives isn't enough to cope with rising energy bills. So she is forced to make impossible choices.
Kelly says “Energy bills are going up so much and I can’t keep up with the payments. We’re in so much debt. The bill is £240 a month and I’m so behind on payments, I already owe £1,600 – I just don’t know how we’ll cope when it goes up even more.
“I have to choose between feeding my kids and feeding myself. I often eat just one meal a day so that I can afford to give my kids three meals. Some weeks we haven’t had enough money for food and have had to use food banks. I feel so guilty because I’m not able to buy the kids anything or take them anywhere. It’s so depressing. I struggle with anxiety and depression, and the stress of energy bills is making my MS symptoms like balance and concentration worse.”
Read more about mental health and MS
People with MS often spend more on utilities in order to have the same standard of living as non-disabled people. For example, they might have to charge medical equipment like mobility scooters. Or keep the heating on more to help them maintain circulation. This means increased costs, like energy bills, can hit people with MS even harder than others.
People with MS are also more likely to rely on benefits to cover vital living expenses.
Anastasia Berry, our Policy Manager, says “This is a difficult time for everyone. But disabled people – including people with MS – face extra costs, leaving them at the sharp end of this crisis. And with the energy price cap set to rise even higher this week, people don’t know how they’ll get through the winter.”
What do we want?
We are urging the new Prime Minister to increase financial support for disabled people to help them through the winter.
They must introduce a new “cost of living package”. This package has to include extra funds for people on benefits or low incomes. It must also include expanding the Warm Home Discount Scheme to include more disabled people.
How is the crisis affecting you?
We won’t stop speaking up to the UK Government and demanding change. But we can’t do this without your help.
We want to hear from you if you’re struggling with the cost of living crisis, and are happy to share your story. Please email [email protected].
We're here for you
You don't have to face challenges alone. Find out about additional financial support you could get as well as disability benefits.
You can also speak to our MS Benefits Advisor through our MS Helpline on 0808 800 8000 or [email protected]. It’s free to call from landlines and mobiles within the UK. What you tell us is confidential and when you call us, it won’t show on your phone bill.
