Help and Support With Money, Benefits and Bills

If you are finding it hard to manage household costs, you are not alone. Support is available to help you check what you can claim, reduce your bills and find local advice.

Use this page to find help with benefits, rent, council tax, food, energy bills, school meals and debt advice. Some support is local, and some is available nationally.

Check what money and benefits you could get

Benefit checker

You may be able to claim benefits, or get more from the benefits you already receive, if you are:

of working age and on a low income
sick or disabled
of State Pension age and on a low income
a carer
responsible for children

You can check what benefits you can get. If you need help using the checker, contact your local Citizens Advice.

Help with rent

If you are on a low income and need help with rent, you may be to apply for Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. Most working-age people will need to apply for Universal Credit.

You should usually only claim Housing Benefit if you are State Pension age, or if you live in supported accommodation or temporary accommodation arranged by a local authority. The rules can be complex, so contact your local authority if you are not sure.

If you are already receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit with housing costs, but are still struggling to pay rent, you may be apple to apply for a Crisis and Resilience Fund housing payment. Visit: Extra help with housing costs to find out more.

Help with Council Tax

If you are on a low income, you may be able to get help with your council tax bill through Council Tax Reduction.

If you already receive Local Council Tax Reduction and are still struggling, you may be able to apply for extra help through an Exceptional Hardship Payment. Visit: Extra help with housing costs.

You can also visit our reductions and discounts page to check whether you could get other help.

Find local support near you

Your local council can help you find support in your area, including food banks, community support, housing advice and homelessness prevention. Choose your council below:

Crisis and Resilience Fund

The Crisis and Resilience Fund was introduced in April 2026. It replaced the Household Support Fund and the Discretionary Housing Payments fund. It helps low-income households facing financial hardship or a sudden financial shock.
Support may help with essential costs such as food, energy, heating oil and other everyday expenses. The fund also aims to help households build longer-term financial resilience.

National help and advice

Help for households

The Governments Cost of Living Support website brings together support with:

income
bills
childcare costs
housing
transport
finding work

Help with energy and water bills

Money and debt advice

If you are worried about debt or household bills, free and confidential advice is available. An advice organisation can help you look at your budget, check whether you can reduce costs, and explain what support may be available.

You can contact the Citizens Advice for help, or use one of these trusted organisations:

Age UK - advice and information including money matters for older people
Money Helper - free and impartial advice about money
National Debt Line - advice about how to deal with debt
Step Change Debt Charity - advice specifically about debt and how to manage it

Free school meals

If you have children and are on a low income, they may be entitled to free school meals. Find out more and apply through your county council: