A SOUTHAMPTON mum has been made to choose between heating or food after waiting months for energy bill vouchers to arrive. 

Sheryl Miles, from Bitterne Park, has been waiting since October for the vouchers to help her tackle her electric heating bills.

The single mother of disabled six-year-old Abdullah said that she spends around £40 to £50 a week on electricity to heat her flat.

She said that she has to make the choice of heating or food and is urging the government to do more to help.

READ MORE: Shapps ‘insistent’ energy support vouchers should reach households

The 49-year-old said: "I am desperate. I care for my son full-time. He is autistic and has ADHD so I have benefits from that and Universal Credit.

"That does not cover the costs of living. I have to choose to heat my home or to buy food.

"I know there are food banks but my son has sensory issues so my son couldn't go there and would waste the food.

"I don't want to take food that will then get wasted as someone else could use it.

"I am just so angry that I am owed all this money and it feels like no one will take responsibility. I was meant to get £66 in October and November.

"I also had to borrow money from a friend for the electricity until my benefits came through. 

"I am on anti-depression tablets and suffer from panic attacks. This does not help with all the stress.

"The money would help me out, especially with Christmas coming."

Sheryl said that after calling British Gas on several occasions she was told that the vouchers were already sent.

She said: "I wait on the phone for three or four hours each time I call and they leave me there on hold before telling me a different reason each time.

"They have told me five times that the vouchers have been sent. They owe me around £198 altogether from October, November, and December."

Following Sheryl speaking with the Daily Echo, British Gas has resent the vouchers to her again.

A British Gas Spokesperson: “We had sent both October and November's vouchers to Mrs Miles. 

"After they did not arrive, we spoke with her to confirm that they have been reissued. We will call Mrs Miles again next week to check they have arrived."

The voucher scheme was set up by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

A BEIS spokesperson said: “All Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers for October and November should have been dispatched by suppliers.

"If customers have not received them, or are having difficulties in redeeming them, they should contact their supplier. 

“Suppliers must ensure vouchers reach customers by 11th working day of the month, and they’re working with Post Office and Paypoint to mitigate postal strikes.

"Customers can also speak to their supplier if they need a voucher to be reissued.”

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