Cost of living support

Feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis? Let’s help relieve some of that pressure. In this guide, find helpful advice and support designed to help your money go further.

And if you still have questions, we’re just a phone call away.

In this guide

Government support
Energy supplier support
Charity support
Steps to stay ahead

Government support

Get help staying on top of things with the Government’s cost of living support package.

You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958.

You must also live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland and get one of the following:

Pension Credit
Universal Credit
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit

You’ll also need to have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.

In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad.

Struggling with debt problems? The Government’s ‘Breathing Space Scheme’ offers helpful advice and debt solutions with no immediate payment worries or extra charges.

You’ll just need to apply first. To see if you’re eligible, read through our partner StepChange Debt Charity’s guide to the application process.

Get support with the cost of childcare through various government initiatives, including:

Up to £500 every three months for childcare costs per child
30 hours free childcare per week for eligible working families in England with three and four-year-old children
15 hours free childcare per week for all families with children aged three and four
Child benefit for children under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training. But be aware of the high income child benefit charge if you or your partner earn over £50,000
85% back in childcare costs if you’re eligible for Universal Credit
Free school meals for eligible pupils in England during term time

£16.6 billion in benefits and Tax Credits go unclaimed each year

- Turn2us, debt support charity

Energy supplier support

Struggling with rising energy costs? Your supplier may be able to help lighten the financial load. Check with them directly, or read through a few of the main support schemes below.

Get support from The British Gas Energy Trust with a grant to help manage gas or electricity debt. Grants are available for eligible British Gas and non-British Gas customers, you’ll just need to show how you’ll manage future energy costs.

They also offer grants up to £1,000 for boiler replacements and energy efficiency measures, regardless of your supplier.

Read about eligibility and applications on the British Gas website, and remember – anyone can apply for help, even non-British Gas customers.

Receive personalised support if you’re an Octopus customer in need, including home energy visits, thermal camera loans to spot heat loss, and free energy-efficient electric blankets.

Get help managing ongoing energy costs with EDF’s helpful advice. From saving up to £60 with a smart meter, to repayment plans and grants for vulnerable customers through the EDF Customer Support Fund.

Get help if you’re struggling to heat your home through National Energy Action, with advice and support for you, your family, and via frontline workers and partner organisations.

Find ways to make your home energy efficient with the Energy Saving Trust. From roof insulation to optimum thermostat efficiency, discover how best to cut your energy use and costs.

Explore other helpful blogs and guides with simple ways to save money on electricity and gas and make your home more energy efficient, including Which? and Money Saving Expert.

Charity support

Get support from us and other dedicated charities to help ease the burden of the cost of living crisis, with information, advice and proactive steps you can take.

Find out if you’re eligible for any of our grants, and how to apply.

Get in touch to talk things through and check if you’re eligible, or read our guide on grants for more information.

Get free financial advice from Turn2us including:

A benefits calculator to check eligibility for government support
Budget management guidance
How to find grants you may be eligible for
Helpful advice on household bills, food and healthcare costs
A dedicated helpline

Access free advice, debt solutions, budget planning and respite periods through our expert partner, StepChange Debt Charity.

Get support tackling debt with free, practical self-help, plus tools and money management advice from The Money Advice Trust.

Receive one-to-one, personalised support with housing issues through Shelter.

They’re available to help via webchat, their emergency helpline, and a team of solicitors also support with legal advice.Get information and advice on various housing challenges from Citizens Advice, including mortgage payments and renting, eviction and being unhoused.

Access support from a local food bank, food distribution charity or food aid provider via The Independent Food Aid Network’s interactive map.

Anyone who needs short-term support can apply. Whether you’re unhoused, unemployed, or employed but your pay just isn’t enough to meet your needs.

Steps to stay ahead

Find ways to make every penny count with these helpful tips.

Explore our resources for guidance on better managing your money. Like our budget planner; a handy tool designed to help you stay on top of what you need to set aside each month, and what you can spend on things you enjoy.

Become a more efficient shopper by following these steps each time you shop for food:

Plan ahead with a list and try to stick to it
Avoid shopping when you’re hungry
Bulk out any meat dishes with more vegetables or pulses
Stock up on more affordable frozen fruit and vegetables
Keep an eye out for vouchers and sale items
Choose store brands instead of big names. They usually taste the same!
Try fruit or yoghurts as a cheaper alternative to prepackaged snacks

Help your food fill hungry mouths for as long as possible by remembering a few simple things:

Keep an eye on expiration dates and make sure you know the difference between ‘sell by’ and ‘use by’
Measure out portions when you’re cooking, and freeze any leftovers
Turn leftovers into delicious sauces or dips. Grab your ingredients and see what recipes you can create

Find cheaper broadband and phone packages if you’re eligible for benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit:

They only cost between £10 – £20 a month
They offer fast, unlimited service
Set up is quick and cheap
Pricing stays fixed
Switching suppliers may cost nothing, and if you leave it’ll be free

Speak to your supplier about a social tariff, or apply online to switch to a new provider.

Discover the WaterSure scheme to find out if you can get support paying your bills. To apply, you’ll just need to:

Be on benefits
Use a lot of water either for medical reasons or in a home with school-age children
Be on a water meter, or be waiting to have one installed

The cost of living can affect your physical and mental health. If you need to talk, we’re here to help.

If you need immediate support, PAM Wellbeing’s emotional support line counsellors are also available 24/7. The PAM Assist wellbeing app also provides digital support at your fingertips, with practical advice and a webchat service.