Cost of Living Advice

Household Support Fund 

Your local authority may be able to support with your energy issue directly through the Household Support or let you know about local services in your area that can help you. 

The Household Support Fund provides funding to help people who are struggling to afford food and utility bills (heating, cooking, lighting) and water (including drinking, washing, cooking, central heating, sewerage and sanitary purposes). This support is provided directly by your local authority.

Support Schemes

You may also be eligible for help through a number of other schemes: 

Household Support Fund

Contact  your local council  to see if you are entitled to help with essentials. 

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill.

If you're eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill.  The money is not paid to you. 

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born before 23rd September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025.  This is known as a 'Winter Fuel Payment'.

You may be eligible if you or your partner get certain benefits.  If you are eligible, you'll normally get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically. 

Cold weather payment

Cold Weather payment helps people on low incomes to heat their homes when it is particularly cold.  

You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting:   

• Pension Credit  
• Income Support   
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance   
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance   
• Universal Credit   
• Support for Mortgage Interest   

Find out more

If you think you may be eligible for any of the above benefits, please visit the gov.uk website for further information.

• Citizens Advice – grant and benefits to help you pay your energy bills. 

• Help for Households – this useful government webpage explains all the help on offer. 

• Money Advice Expert – Money saving tips. 

• Turn2Us – cost of living support. 

• Step Change - free and expert advice to help you deal with debt. 

• Age UK | The UK's leading charity helping every older person who needs us
• Royal British Legion - Provides support for ex-service and serving personnel and their family
• Ben Friends Trust - Help for those who have worked or work within the automobile industry
• Family Fund - Grants for disabled children
• Family Holiday Charity – This charity helps families who are on low incomes that haven’t had a holiday together in the last four and have at least one child under 18, to get away.