Energy bill 'panic' for mum of disabled son

Samantha Tolmie's son Lewis needs constant care and equipment which must be run all the time

A mother caring for her terminally ill son has said she is "terrified" of losing her home because the cost of running his ventilator is about to increase.

Lewis, 20, from Doncaster, needs the lifesaving medical equipment to keep him alive, but mum Samantha Tolmie said the cost of running it constantly meant a monthly energy bill of almost £700 a month when prices go up in October.

Announcing next month's 10% rise in the energy price cap, regulator Ofgem said it was the result of higher prices on the international energy market.

Ms Tolmie said she was worried about her and Lewis being able to stay in their current house "because I can't afford to pay the rent or bills".

Lewis, who has Batten Disease, which can cause seizures, visual impairment and mobility loss, needs the constant help of a ventilator, along with other medical equipment including a humidifier to stop his lungs drying out.

Ms Tolmie said: "He has suction machines, an electric bed and mattress to prevent pressure sores, hoists because he is now too large to move, a monitor so we know he's well, and various other equipment like feeding pumps and an oxygen concentrator," she said.

"The financial impact of that is terrible."

The disease meant she had to care for Lewis full time, so could not take on another job, she said.

'Panic mode'

Ms Tolmie said: "I spent months when I couldn't spend a single penny on anything else, even food became a problem.

"I didn't want to get into debt with our electricity and gas."

She said the upcoming price increase, affecting gas and electricity, had left her "terrified" about the future.

A projected increase in her energy bill in October from £343 per month to £675 had left her in "panic mode", she said.

"I can't turn anything off. He can't go without any of the electrical medical things."

Una Summerfield, from Contact, a charity for families with disabled children, said staff were being contacted every day by people in a similar position to Ms Tolmie and Lewis.

She added that there was currently limited financial help available.

Meanwhile, parents were often too busy "caring for their children" so did not have time to check what support they could claim.

"They should be creating memories and special moments, not having to worry about their bills and whether they're going to get into debt and lose their home," Ms Summerfield said.

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