Dalston Library in Hackney has become an unexpectedly busy hub every Thursday, not for its usual collection of books but for essential energy vouchers provided by the disability charity Scope. Amid a surge in living costs, particularly energy prices, the library hosts Scope’s Community Disability Energy Advice Service sessions, where disabled individuals and their families seek assistance to manage rising bills.

With funding of £1.8 million from gas distribution network Cadent, Scope aims to support 225,000 disabled people with energy vouchers over two years. However, the increasing demand has led to queues so long that some visitors are turned away. When Metro.co.uk visited recently, they observed numerous individuals waiting to speak with advisors about avoiding fuel poverty, reflecting a growing crisis prompted by a 6.4% rise in the energy price cap and impending government cuts to disability benefits.

Among those seeking support were Arefat and Tigist, friends who both have disabled children attending the same school. Arefat, who receives Universal Credit, explained her difficulties: “I am struggling at the moment. I do not get enough universal credit for me and my son. Once the bills are paid for I am left with nothing.” Her son’s sensory needs require the heating to be on more than in other households. Tigist’s daughter suffers from multiple allergies necessitating costly food, and Tigist recalled, “Bills are very expensive and it is very hard. I cannot afford it. Sometimes I can’t use my heater. It was a very cold winter.”

During their visit, the women received £150 worth of energy and gas vouchers and advice on reducing water bills, cutting their monthly water expense potentially from £40 to £10. Arefat noted, “These vouchers mean I can keep the heating on… We found out there is a lot of support available but you never find out about it. Nobody tells you.” Tigist expressed similar relief, saying she was “very happy” with the support, which was sent to her by text message.

Abraham, a 50-year-old from north London who supports his 18-year-old son, also travelled to access the service. He reported paying around £350 for three months of energy during winter and described life as “very hard.” After receiving one-to-one advice and vouchers worth £150, he said, “These vouchers will help me afford more energy and food for my son.”

Richard Dilks, Team Leader for North London and East Anglia, shared that demand for the service has soared since December, with their sessions now seeing approximately 250 people a month compared to just a handful previously. He suggested the increase could partly be seasonal but also related to escalating energy prices and mounting debts.

Price hikes have continued this year, with the energy price cap increasing from £1,738 to £1,849 annually on April 1, following a 1.2% rise in January. Concurrently, the government has announced plans to overhaul disability benefits, tightening eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and changing Universal Credit assessments. Scope warns that these changes could push over 700,000 disabled households into poverty, adding to the challenges faced by those already struggling.

Richard highlighted the emotional toll on his clients: “We’re getting more people coming in because they’re worried about how they’re gonna be able to afford the bills. It doesn’t always seem like disabled people are thought about enough. It’s more numbers than figures.” Due to the popularity of the sessions, some venues have had to limit attendees for health and safety reasons.

In the North West of England, Scope energy advisor Kimberley Humphries and her team travel extensively within Cadent’s network, covering areas including Stoke, Macclesfield, Bury, Wigan, and Manchester. Kimberley reported holding over 500 one-to-one advice sessions in February alone, with demand growing steadily. “Disabled people are digitally excluded and so may not know about the support Scope provide,” she explained. Kimberley recounted encounters with individuals so desperate they resorted to using heated pain packs stuck to their bodies for warmth. “It is very eye opening. It is desperation, they have no other choice.”

Kimberley expressed concern that the prospect of further price increases and welfare cuts could exacerbate the situation, forecasting “a significant increase in people accessing our service and needing more critical support” in the coming winter.

Despite these challenges, the drop-in sessions and the vouchers offer vital relief. Kimberley noted, “People come away feeling less isolated in their circumstances. Then they can talk to other family and friends in similar situations and spread the message.”

People seeking support or information about the next nearest Scope advice session can find details on the charity’s website.

Source: Noah Wire Services