Cost of living help
With rising costs remaining a key concern for people nationwide, it can be overwhelming to keep track of what can be done to ease the impact of increased outgoings. We want to make it easy for customers to access useful advice and support that can hopefully reduce the rising costs of running your home. On this page, you can find a breakdown of cost of living support available, as well as more specific information, advice and support on rising energy prices, reducing the amount of energy you need to pay for, and managing your money.
How can we help?
Our Welfare and Benefit Advisors are here to help
You can contact us to speak to one of our Welfare & Benefit Advisors, or call 0300 373 3000 and they can work with you to try to support you getting all the benefits you may be entitled to.
Support for Leaseholders and shared owners
If you’re worried about paying your mortgage, please speak with your lender or talk to an independent financial advisor. UK Finance’s Reach Out campaign has details on what support could be available. If you haven’t been paying your service charges, please get in touch with us as soon as possible, so we can discuss next steps.
If you feel overwhelmed by debt and don’t know where to turn, our free Debt Advice Service can help. Our expert team provide confidential guidance and support – including help with writing off debt, obtaining charity grants, budgeting and reducing energy bills.
Our Debt Advice service
You can contact us in several ways:
- Debt Advice Service direct line: 01173 170 701
- Complete this short form and we will be in touch.
- Send us an email with your name, contact information and address, as well as a short summary of your situation.
- You can also sign up to Lightning Reach - a one-stop-shop for financial support. You can look for grants, benefits, help with bills and local schemes you might be eligible for from multiple providers, and make a referral to our Debt Advice Service too. Fill out the application form and we will be in touch.
We also have a wide range of services and advice to help you face rising costs, which you can find out more about using the buttons below.
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Managing your moneySupport with paying rent and tips on how to stay on top of your finances and make the most of your money.
Managing your money -
Benefits and financial supportBreaking down the various types of benefits and additional financial support to be aware of.
Benefits and financial support -
Support paying your rentIf you're having trouble paying your rent or are in arrears, we may be able to help!
Support paying your rent -
Employment and trainingReach your full potential and achieve your goals, with a variety of employment advice sessions, training courses and opportunities.
Employment support -
Digital inclusionHelping you make sense of the internet and technology, and make the most of digital tools that will make your life easier.
Digital inclusion -
Energy price increasesInformation on how this may affect you, and support available.
Energy price increases
Support from the Government, charities and external organisations
You may have been entitled to Cost of Living Payments of £326, £324, £301, £300 and £299 if you got any of the following benefits or tax credits on certain dates:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
To find out if you're eligible for one of these payments, visit: www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment
You may be able to get help with essential costs from your local council. This is sometimes known as ‘the Household Support Fund’. This could help if you’re struggling to afford things like:
- energy and water bills
- food
- essential items
Your council may also offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays.
Please check your local council’s website for more information. Please click here to find your local council.
You may be entitled to a council tax discount or rebate - click here to find out more information on the types of council tax discounts available. Contact your local council to apply for a discount: Find your local council - GOV.UK
For more information and independent debt advice you can contact any of the following agencies:
- National Debtline - Free, confidential, and independent debt advice for individuals who are not self-employed. Phone 0808 808 4000 or visit nationaldebtline.org
- StepChange Debt Charity - A charity providing free, confidential, and independent debt advice for individuals who are not self-employed. Phone: 0800 138 1111 or visit stepchange.org
- Citizens Advice - Citizens Advice Bureau provide free, independent, and confidential advice to those who are not self-employed on their rights and responsibilities. Phone: 0800 144 8848 or visit citizensadvice.org.uk
You can also find out lots of useful information from Turn2Us, a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. Click here to visit their website.
If you’re struggling with paying your water bills, you may be able to apply for help from your water supplier to temporarily reduce your bill, or to cap or pay a discounted rate for future bills. Your water company will also be able to give you some water saving tips, and you might be able to get some free water saving devices from them.
For some more great advice, click here to visit the MoneySavingExpert website. Age UK shares tips here on how to use less water, potential discounts, and the Priority Services Register.
The UK's largest water company Thames Water offer the WaterSure bill cap and WaterHelp scheme which aim to lighten the load on households in need of extra support. The WaterSure bill cap is available to help people on a water meter who are finding it hard to save water because they have a large family or water-dependent medical condition. The WaterHelp scheme provides a discounted water bill for low income households. To find out more about these schemes and apply, click here or the button below.
Thames Water's financial support schemes
We know that residents' water suppliers may vary, so to find out details and advice on what support your supplier provide, please visit the debt charity Step Change's website: Help Paying Your Water Bills. StepChange Debt Charity
It can be really stressful to juggle the cost of running a home, especially when bills and household costs are going up. This can have a negative impact the mental health of you or your loved ones. It's really important to get help when you need this, and we recommend making use of the wide range of free mental health resources available if you feel mentally overwhelmed by the cost of living. You can click here to visit our dedicated mental wellbeing page for more information on the support available.
