Like everyone, we're feeling the pinch. However it's got to the point where we're struggling to pay the mortgage now. Gas and electric is ridiculous but we need a warm house because of hubby's health.
Anyway our mortgage has risen by over £200 a month since September, food going up, petrol etc etc. I'm self employed and unable to take anymore work on. Hubby is on disability benefits which hasn't gone up for years but he's on the wrong type of benefit to even claim the cost of living payments.
We spoke to the mortgage company who weren't very helpful so in desperation we rang the Citizens Advice. I wish I'd done it sooner. They've contacted the mortgage company on our behalf who have now said we can pay a reduced amount for a few months, are dealing with a small amount of debt we have- they can try and write off a majority of it- have contacted a local charity who give one off low income payments of £500, have said we qualify for another £40 per week in gas/ electric vouchers, warm clothing vouchers for Tesco and for the food bank. We're ok buying food, but they insisted we use it so my daughter went yesterday ( hubby feels a bit embarrassed bless him) and came back with around £40 of food,from fresh fruit to teabags. If it saves us a few quid on the weekly shop then its worth it. There's also another place we can use for free toiletries and cleaning products.
If you're struggling, ring or email them,there is help out there.