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Support with the Cost of Living

Find out what help may be available to you through benefits, grants and other sources of support.

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The government has announced additional help with the cost of living through the Household Support Fund, which has been extended until March 2025.

The type of support available to you will depend on where you live, as Household Support Fund schemes are delivered by local councils and the devolved governments. Some schemes offer cash grants to help with food, gas, and electricity, while other might provide things like electric blankets or furniture.

Search your local council to see what support they offer

It is still worth using the steps in this guide to boost your income and cut your outgoings as far as you can. Even with the extra support the government has offered, a lot of households will struggle with bills over the coming year.

 If you are in an emergency situation, use our Emergency Information guide to get yourself stable, then come back to this plan.

Your situation

I can't heat my home

This guide covers what you can do if you cannot heat your home. 

Struggling with Energy and Water bills

Financial support may be available to you.

Step 1: Maximise your income

Benefits

You may be entitled to benefits, depending on your situation.

To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily, you can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator.

The Benefits Calculator mainly calculates means-tested benefits. Depending on your circumstances, there might be extra benefits you can claim.

Turn2us Benefits Calculator

To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily, you can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator.

Charitable grants

Help may be available to you through a charitable grant and other help, depending on your background, circumstances and needs. To find out what help may be available from grant-giving charities, you can use the Turn2us Grants Search.

Money from local councils

Help may be available through your local council, such as  local welfare assistance schemes, depending on your circumstances and where you live in the UK.

Step 2: Manage your budget

Draw up a budget

The government-backed Money Helper website, produced by the Money and Pensions Service, provides information on a wide range of financial subjects, including:

You can also contact them for money guidance that's impartial and free to use, whether that's online or over the phone. See the Money Helper: Money Guidance page for details.

Money Saving Expert

Money Saving Expert is a website with articles and tips for saving and managing your money, including:

Free Debt Advice

If you're struggling to keep up with debt or paying a lot in interest, it is important to get free, confidential, and responsible debt advice.

Water schemes

Water companies have schemes to help people who are struggling to pay their water bill or who have fallen behind on their water bill.

Energy Schemes

Energy companies have schemes to help people who are struggling to afford their bills. 

Energy Saving Trust

Energy Saving Trust provides information on help to improve the energy efficiency of your home and so cut your bills.

Compare how much electrical appliances cost to use

Citizen's Advice has a calculator which shows you how much energy electrical appliances use compared to one another.

Help with phone, TV and Internet bills

There are discounted tariffs available for people on low incomes.

Help with food

If you find yourself caught short of money and need help with essentials like food, read our Emergency Information guide for details of food banks and how to access them.

Health costs

Some people can get free or discounted prescriptions, help with travel to medical appointments, and help with the cost of dental services. 

Extra help for disabled people

Getting a disability benefit can give entitlement to a range of schemes to help with the additional costs of living with a disability.

Help with household items

The Reuse Network is a national charity that works with reuse centres that stock high-quality, affordable household items including furniture, electrical appliances, IT equipment and more. You can find affordable household items at your nearest reuse centre.

Quaker Social Action Made of Money

This service promotes financial wellbeing through resources and training to help people on low incomes manage money better.

Advice and Support

Turn2us is unable to offer advice on individual situations. To find an adviser in your area to discuss your situation with, you can use the Turn2us Find an Adviser.