Thousands of West Lothian households are “holding on by their fingertips” as they face a storm of rising prices, warned the Citizens Advice Bureau.
It predicted that massive increases to energy bills in the spring could see food bank demand soar. The energy price cap is set to increase in April under plans being finalised by industry regulator Ofgem.
Electricity and heating bills are predicted to rise by almost 50 per cent with serious consequences for many families already struggling to budget household outgoings.
The charity said people will be bracing themselves for a big increase in the price cap, which will come at the worst possible time as prices in the shops soar and incomes stay the same or even fall.
CAB said people are facing a “nightmare scenario” in the spring as the rising cost of living and increases in energy bills collide with flat or falling incomes.
People are already cutting back on food shopping to deal with unaffordable bills.
Last month, CAB launched its Big Energy Saving Winter, a campaign encouraging people to seek free independent and confidential financial advice to help manage increasing energy bills.
Citizens Advice staff have stepped in with money-saving advice for clients, citing a link between advice around utilities and the need to access the food bank.
Bureau manager Brian Jeffrey said: “People who are struggling should know that we are here for them.
“The energy price cap will cause anxiety for many households, especially at a time when people are feeling the pinch and some face the devastating choice between heating and eating.
“I’d encourage anyone to check our advice, you never know what money you are potentially missing out on or where you could be paying less.”
The Citizens Advice Bureau offers advice which is free, confidential and impartial. They run a number of value added projects which includes the Money Talks project,
The project will identify any income maximisation issues that can be addressed such as applying for any benefits that may be available and also looking at possibilities for reducing expenditure.
It is essentially aimed at clients and families who may be struggling with money and as a result might be finding difficulty in heating their home, feeding them or their family or simply concerned about money.
Another vital project clients have access to is the Help to Claim project that helps clients claims and navigate their way through claiming Universal Credit.
Both projects can be contacted on 01506 444814.
Contact the bureau on 01506 432977, or by email Enquiries@CABWest Lothian.casonline.org.uk.
If you prefer to get our information online, try the moneymap.scot tool to check those ways to increase your income.
Or visit the general advice website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland
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