Cost of living: 'My hair is dirty and my clothes aren't as clean as I would like'

• Anne has a degenerative neurological condition and is finding it extremely hard to cope with rising energy bills

• The 52 year-old said things are so difficult she is struggling to stay clean

• Energy bills hit an average of £2,500 in October, and are set to rise to £3,000 in April

• Read more about Anne's story below

Disabled people are among those suffering most during the cost of living crisis with many facing higher energy costs due to equipment needed for their conditions.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), disabled adults are more likely to be falling behind on bills than other households, with 55% of disabled adults finding it difficult to afford their energy bills and 7% reporting being behind on payments.

For non-disabled households, 40% were finding it difficult to afford their bills and 4% were behind with payments.

Read more: The UK's economic crisis explained in seven charts

Anne, 52, who lives in Nottingham with her partner, told Yahoo News UK that soaring prices mean she was struggling to keep clean.

She requires special equipment to help her with her disabilities including hoists to get her out of bed and an electric toilet.

“I hate myself at the moment because my hair is dirty and my clothes aren't as clean as I would like," said Anne.

"Because... you string out how long you do things before you put them in the wash, because you know that putting the washing machine on is going to cost you 75p and and that's hateful.”

Anne says she also knows of other people in this situation, and that many of them are "stuck" and their "voices don't get heard".

"I have two neighbours, one is on oxygen. The electric for these items is covered by the NHS, which is great," said Anne.

"But what isn't covered is the fact that they're always cold. The oxygen is paid for - but the fact that they are cold all of the time, because the oxygen is freezing, that isn't.'

Anne also says she has sent carers home in the past because she has felt guilty having them in the house because the temperature is so low.

In February told Yahoo News UK she was being forced to sell her jewellery to afford rising bills.

"I keep saying, 'I don’t know what to do'... we sold my jewellery, you know?" she said.

Read more: The energy payment 1.4 million eligible households haven't claimed this winter

"We sold clothes to keep up and we’re [still] behind [on our energy bills]. There’s nothing else to sell."

Her remarks come as the cost of living crisis continues to worsen with rising inflation and soaring energy bills putting pressure on households.

According to research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation this month, seven million households are going hungry, cutting down meal sizes or skipping them, or are going without showering or adequate clothing.

It also found more than three million households have not been able to afford to heat their home since June.

Watch: Revealed: Supermarket chains where prices have risen fastest during the cost of living crisis