RISING fuel costs and other bills from people staying at home more are leading to community groups being overwhelmed by demand.

A survey of organisations providing support has led to concerns about increased gas and electric bills with people spending more time at home.

Bills for pay-as-you-go mobile phones are expected to rise as people stay in touch more through

the phone – and it is people already on higher tariffs who are expected to suffer most.

Poverty Alliance contacted groups it works with to find out the impact coronavirus is having on demand for services and what areas of concerns there were.

Prepaid was a concern, with 25% of households already in fuel poverty.

Poverty Alliance said there are challenges both in covering the increased costs of fuel and, with many shops closed, accessing pay points where they can top-up.

The Wise Group manages a crisis fund for people in fuel poverty but demand means it has been fully used up.

A spokesman for the Poverty Alliance said: Community organisations are stepping up to protect people living on low incomes from the worst impacts of the coronavirus crisis.

“Those who are already at greater risk of experiencing poverty are seeing the grip of poverty tighten, while many more people are at risk of being pulled into poverty”.

A spokeswoman for the Wise Group, said: “Energy suppliers are continuing to engage with us to provide vital help people need. We recognise there is always more that can be done so we are exploring all options to see what other help can be provided for our customers during these unprecedented times”