Families have set up Go Fund Me pages to pay their bills amid soaring prices and an inflation figure that’s forecast to reach a forty-year high by autumn.
It comes as food, fuel, council tax and energy prices continue to spiral, sending average heating bills up £700 and petrol at record levels – even with a 6p tax cut.
Workers also face paying more national insurance from this month, adding 1.25% percentage points to every contribution they make.
David Babsky set up a Go Fund Me page to help Thelma Spalding, a former NHS worker who is no longer able to work.
She’s resorted to crowdfunding because she cannot afford essential payments. Ms Spalding relies on carers and a walking stick.
Mr Babsky said he was moved to act after hearing Ms Spalding's story in a recent BBC report, where she told how she was unable to turn on her heating.
He sent Ms Spalding a cheque to help with her bills and set up the Go Fund Me page, which has so far raised more than £1,000.
"Thelma is freezing," Mr Babsky said in a video posted online. "She lies in bed freezing because she can't afford to heat her home. She needs our help."
When David visited her, he said she was "immensely grateful" for people's donations.
Meanwhile, a separate Go Fund Me page was set up for a woman called Marilyn, to help her family "survive" the rising cost of energy.
"Honestly I feel so embarrassed at having to do this, but things really have gotten bad and I just have nowhere to turn now," a message on the page said.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has been criticised for not doing enough to help people with soaring bills – including claims he blocked changes to the £200 energy ‘loan’.
It follows the biggest squeeze in living standards since the 1950s.
The £200 loan will be offered to households this winter – but it will have to be repaid over five years.
A £150 council tax rebate will also be offered to households this month, but only if you live in bands A to D.
It comes as state support such as the state pension and Universal Credit rise today – but at just half of the figure of inflation at 3.1%.
One reader, Mr Bonham, 69, said the pension rise has left him feeling like his generation “have been sold down the river and lied to”.
“The suspension of the triple lock was a total and utter disgrace, £5.50 per week is laughable,” he added.
Another retiree, Richard Brown said: “I have no income apart from my government pension.
“My council tax is £225 a month my electricity is £100 a month I live in the country I have a thatched roof that cost me £125 a month just for building and no contents as I can’t afford it.
“I have oil central heating which cost me £338 for 500L one month ago. It’s now 500L for £700.
“No food bills or petrol for my car are included. How can I afford all these pay out on a government pension.”
To get the full state pension you need a minimum of 10 "qualifying" years in work and 35 years’ worth of National Insurance contributions on your employment record.
Those on the new state pension will get a rise of 3.1% - or £5.56 a week to their payments.
Over the year that's an extra £289.50.
But those who reached retirement age before April 6, 2016 will see their payments rise to £141.85 a week or £221.81 a year because they are on the old state pension.
