A single mother from Co Tyrone has spoken of her heartbreak as she can’t afford to pay for heating for herself and her daughter.
Debbie Roberts, who lives in Dungannon and works full time, says she feels she has failed as a parent as the rising cost of bills has left her having to choose eat over heat.
Energy companies have announced a series of price increases in recent months, with SSE Airtricity announcing its latest rise of 35% in electricity and 28% for Northern Ireland customers on Friday.
READ MORE: Family facing nightmare winter as monthly heating bill skyrockets
Debbie says due to price rises last winter she was not able to switch her oil heating on and fears it will be the same again this year. She bought a home through co-ownership two years ago, and says because of this and the fact she works full-time she is not able to receive certain benefits.
“I will always ensure my daughter has food to eat but it is heartbreaking when she asks me if we can put the heating on or have a fire and I have to tell her we can't,” Debbie told Belfast Live.
“I don't live a lavish lifestyle, buy expensive things and I do most of my own DIY myself despite having problems with my knees and other joints.
“I don’t spoil her and sometimes she will ask can we do this or do that I just have to say no, we don’t have the money.
“I need to see the dentist and get a new pair of glasses but I just can’t spare the money right now. It just never seems to end.
“We’re loading ourselves up with blankets, winter pyjamas and hot water bottles just to keep us going. The thought of a second winter with no heating scares me.
“My daughter will tell me she’s cold and you feel as a parent like you’ve failed.”
The Dungannon mum added that her electricity bills have also seen a sharp rise in recent months, with one £30 top up now being needed more than once a week.
That’s in comparison to every three to four weeks just a year ago.
“I work full time and have a decent wage but it just doesn’t stretch very far at the moment with rising costs.
“When I try to apply for assistance for school uniforms and things like that I’m told I earn too much. Fortunately this year my daughter said she is able to wear a lot of the same uniform from last year because I wouldn’t have the money to pay for a full one.
“I top up my electricity with £30 and before it would have lasted us three to four weeks, it wasn’t even lasting five days so we had to change provider.
“It’s a little bit better now but we are just living from week to week at this stage. It’s been hard, I’m starting to think about getting a second job just to try and give us a bit of security.”
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