A STRUGGLING disabled mum said the cost of living crisis is having a "damaging effect" on her mental health.

The Bucks woman, who'se name has been changed to Cathy to protect her identity, suffers a long-term medical condition which means she's unable to work.

THe 30-year-old mum has two children and fears the increase in energy bills this winter.

Cathy said: “It takes a lot to drag me down, but the cost-of-living crisis definitely is damaging my mental health. It keeps me awake at night.

"If I scrimp and cull all the non-essentials, we will probably just about scrape through this winter, although we may need to borrow money or use foodbanks.

"But I know some of my disabled friends that won't make it through. They’ll be in crisis: losing their homes or being massively in debt, or reliant on foodbanks and community help. Or, sadly, many will just go under with the worry. I can see lots of my friends and circle who are heading for serious mental health crisis."

Buckinghamshire Disability Service (BuDS), who represent people like Cathy among 40,000 others, said they're gravely worried about the growing cost of living crisis in the area.

It comes after research from Financian Fairness Trust found nearly half of households (48%) containing people with disabilities have struggled to keep their home warm and comfortable at some point this year, compared with three in 10 (30%) households.

The research also indicated that over a quarter (29%) of households where someone is disabled are in serious financial difficulty, based on their situation when it comes to factors such as their ability to pay bills and their level of savings.

BuDS support the reserch, arguing Government support for disabled people "has been utterly inadequate" as members are facing increased bills of £200 per month or more.

Cathy said: "Counting every penny is the most horrible weight to carry. I hate the fact that somehow, it’s gone under the mainstream media’s radar, that energy bills and the cost of living have already doubled in the last 2 years.

"There’s nothing more humiliating for me as a mum, to ask school for help with uniform costs. We simply couldn’t have managed this year without the help, or your 17-year-old saying mum, I need clothes for college. And me thinking how the hell am I going to find the money for that. It’s a continuous battle."

The family also fear they'll have to completely turn off their heating and stop using their tumble dryer to keep their bills down.

"There’s no quick fix either and I think this is the hardest bit to grasp," Cathy added.

"The way the benefit system is set up, even if my husband returned to work tomorrow, unless it was an exceptionally well paid job, we would likely be worse off. The only quick fix would be for both of us to work. And that just isn’t possible, because my disability isn’t just going to vanish”.

BuDS fear disabled people in Buckinghamshire will face an "anxious, cold and hungry winter".

Andrew Clark, Chair of Trustees, for BuDS, said: "BuDS is a pan-disability community of over 200 disabled people, providing services and support to thousands across the County. We are the authentic voice for disability in Bucks.

"BuDS is gravely worried about the growing cost of living crisis in Bucks. Disabled people are among the poorest people in society and we are least able to adapt and react to rising prices. Disabled people typically need warmer homes and rely more on electrical appliances like microwaves, tumbler driers, stairlifts, wheelchairs and medical aids. Rising energy prices hit disabled people much worse than non-disabled people."

Bucks Free Press: Your Money Matters campaign logo

Your Money Matters is a campaign launched by us and our sister titles across Newsquest to help you overcome the surge in the cost of living. This year has seen a whole host of household price increases — from the energy price cap rise to surging inflation and food prices — costing your family hundreds or even thousands of pounds extra per year.

We’re making it our mission to look out for your cash, offering money-saving deals, competitions, giveaways and insightful stories from your community on the impact this cost-of-living crisis is having on our readers. The worldwide energy crisis exacerbated by the Ukraine invasion, the financial impact of the Covid pandemic, record inflation figures and a surge in the cost of goods, fuel and travel means we will all feel the pinch. Through our newspaper, we want to do what we can to help make your cash go further because we know your money matters.