Cost of Living Support
The rising cost of living is on everyone’s minds and can have an impact on mental health and wellbeing. If you feel overwhelmed, advice and support is available to help you cope.
As the general public is facing increased cost of living pressures, particularly due to the rise in energy costs, you may find it helpful to read the following sections.
UK: Help for Households Support
We know people are worried so the government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
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Scotland: Cost of Living Campaign
Your local council may be able to help if you need urgent help with things like food, heating and electricity.
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N. Ireland: Cost of Living Support
Information & Advice: Help with energy costs; income; families & children; older people; housing & help with other costs
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Wales: Get help with the cost of living
We understand that the rising cost of living can be especially worrying if you have difficulty paying your bills and/or your rent, but there is help and advice available to assist you.
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Local Authority help
Your local council could help with energy and food bills through welfare assistance schemes, also known as 'crisis support'. Many schemes provide support with utility bills, petrol and food as well.
Find out more
NHS Help with Health Costs
This section has information on NHS Services and what help you can get with health costs.
Check whether you're entitled to claim for free treatment or prescriptions.
If you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).
NHS Services
Find out about when you need to pay, help when on universal credit, travel costs and personal health budgets
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Reduce your bills - schemes and grants
This guide will help you find energy grants and schemes that can reduce your bills.
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British Gas Energy Trust
Offers grants up to £1500 to anyone in energy debt - not just its customers - to support families and individuals who are struggling to pay their bill. You need to be spending more than ten per cent of your income on energy
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Charis Grants
Runs charitable funds on behalf of many major energy providers, including E.ON and EDF. Their schemes provide financial assistance towards paying for bills and essential household items
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Warm Home Discount Scheme
You could get £150 off your electricity bill, or £150 added to your pre-payment meter. The Government website will be updated with details of who is eligible. Or check your energy supplier's site
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Energy improvements
ECO is the main scheme for supporting energy efficiency improvements for disabled people. It's funded by energy suppliers and installs energy improvements and reduces bills for households in need.
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Food Banks
Get a minimum of 3 days' emergency food and additional support. Food banks work with professionals, such as social workers, to issue vouchers. If you need help getting food home, ask the food bank about deliveries.
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Membership Food Clubs
Often called social supermarkets, membership food clubs offer reduced price products for a small charge. You'll usually have the choice of getting shopping worth many times your contribution but availability may limit the choice.
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OLIO app
Connects you with neighbours & businesses looking to share surplus food. OLIO says it has over 1.2 million users across the UK. Many items on the app come from people emptying out their store cupboards & donations from supermarkets, cafes, bakeries & shops
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Iceland Food Club
Supermarket Iceland is part of a scheme to offer zero-interest loans of up to £100 to buy everyday groceries. Funds are available on preloaded cards with repayments set at £10 a week. Anyone can apply for the scheme. Use the card in-store or the website
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IT Support
Broadband Social Tariffs
You're likely to be eligible for a social tariff if you receive a means-tested state benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or legacy equivalents. The exact requirements depend on the broadband provider in question – some only offer social tariffs to Universal Credit recipients, while others extend eligibility to those on Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment & Support Allowance.
Broadband social tariffs
Which? explains all you need to know about social tariffs, including which providers offer them and who can access them
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Accessing the internet and digital devices
Good Things Foundation are building a National Device Bank to provide devices to people in need. Their National Databank provides free data to 500,000 people and they support Online Centres where people can access the internet and build digital skills.
Accessing the internet and digital devices
Good Things Foundation are a social change charity, helping people to improve their lives through digital.
Find out more
Supportive Organisations
Please also check the Helpful Charities page, which offers further support and specialist services that may be of benefit to you.
These charities and organisations listed below offer information, free advice, financial planning, practical support with debt management and grants.
Citizens Advice
The Citizens Advice network of independent charities offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.
We also give advice on consumer rights on our consumer helpline, support witnesses in courts through the Witness Service and give pension guidance to people aged over 50.
Visit their website
Citizens Advice Scotland
Ciutizens Advice Scotland give free, independent, confidential, impartial advice.
We look at the problems people bring to their advice services and campaign for change where it’s needed most.
We work for a fairer Scotland, where people are empowered and their rights respected.
Visit their website
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper is here to make your money and pension choices clearer. Here to cut through the complexity, explain what you need to do and how you can do it.
Here to put you in control with impartial guidance that's backed by government and to recommend further, trusted support if you need it.
Visit their website
StepChange
StepChange offer free, flexible debt advice that is based on a comprehensive assessment of your situation.They then provide practical help and support for however long it’s needed.
Visit their website
Turn2Us
Turn2us helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through our partner organisations.
Visit their website
Contact
Contact is the charity for families with disabled children. Contact's website provides advice and information about any concern you might have about raising a child with additional needs or a disability.
Contact provides free seminars to cater for specific needs within families and advises directly on the cost of living support that is available. You can also call Contact's free helpline on 0808 808 3555 between 9:30-5pm Monday to Friday or email helpline@contact.org.uk.
Visit their website
NCVO - National Council for Voluntary Organisations
Help and Guidance for Cost of Living Crisis addressing the impact on families and individuals listing various resources and guidance in one place
Visit their website
The Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust
Provides grants to people with medical conditions, disability, or poor health.
Visit their website
The Glasspool Trust
Issues small one-off grants to individuals in need on a low income
Visit their website
Heinz, Anna and Carol Kroch Foundation
Provides £100 to £500 grants for individuals suffering from on-going medical conditions.
Visit their website
Linking Help with Hope
Offers grants for household items if you have certain health conditions.
Visit their website
The National Benevolent Charity
Makes grants to help with household items and supplies vouchers for goods and services
Visit their website
Helpful Charities
Find some of the other helpful charities that may be able to support you here
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Helpline
Give our Support Specialists a call on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 9am-5pm. Find out more here:
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Pain Management and Support
This section offers alternative methods for dealing with pain, support resources for NF related conditions and issues
Find out more