Help With Bills If Struggling UK — All Options

If you’re struggling with bills, help is available. Here’s a complete guide to all support options.

Immediate Steps

Priority Bills Order

Priority	Bill	Why
1	Rent/mortgage	Keeps roof over head
2	Council tax	Bailiffs can be sent
3	Gas/electric	Essential
4	Water	Essential
5	TV licence	Fines possible
6	Other	Credit cards etc

Before Anything Else

Action	Why
List all bills	Know what you owe
Check income	All sources
Make budget	Income vs expenses
Contact creditors	Before missing payments

Energy Bill Help

Warm Home Discount

Feature	Details
Amount	£150 off electricity
When	Winter (usually Oct-Dec)
Core Group 1	Automatic (Pension Credit)
Core Group 2	Apply through supplier
One-off	Annual scheme

Eligibility (Core Group 2)

Requirement	Details
Low income	Benefits-related
High energy costs	Property characteristics
Apply	Through energy supplier
Limited	Applies each year

Other Energy Help

Scheme	Details
Priority Services Register	Free, for vulnerable
Fuel Direct	Benefits deduction
Prepayment meter help	Suppliers must assist
Winter Fuel Payment	£100-300 (pensioners)

Supplier Hardship Funds

If You Have Debt	Details
Contact supplier	Ask about hardship fund
Write off	Possible for arrears
Usually need	To show financial hardship
Complete application	With evidence

British Gas Energy Trust

Feature	Details
Who can apply	Anyone (any supplier)
For	Energy debt
Grant	To clear arrears
Also	Household goods
Apply at	britishgasenergytrust.org.uk

Other Energy Grants

Fund	Provider
EDF Customer Support Fund	EDF customers
Octopus Energy Assist	Octopus customers
Scottish Power Hardship	Scottish Power
Check with	Your supplier

Water Bill Help

WaterSure

Feature	Details
What	Capped water bills
Who	On benefits + medical need/large family
Requires	Water meter
Apply	To your water company

Social Tariffs

Feature	Details
What	Reduced bills
Who	Low income households
Varies	By water company
Check	Your company’s website

Water Debt Help

If Behind	Options
Payment plans	From supplier
Watersure	If eligible
Charitable trust	Some water companies have
Not disconnected	Water companies can’t

Council Tax Help

Discounts Available

Discount	Saving
Single person	25% off
Students	Exempt/100%
Severe mental impairment	Disregard
Empty property	May be reduced

Council Tax Reduction

Feature	Details
What	Reduction based on income
Who	Low income households
How much	Up to 100%
Apply	To your council

Council Tax Hardship

If Struggling	Options
Contact council	Before missing
Payment plan	Spread remaining
Apply for reduction	May not have claimed
Hardship fund	Some councils have

Household Support Fund

What It Is

Feature	Details
Government funding	To councils
Distributed locally	Rules vary
For	Energy, food, essentials
Amount	Varies

How to Apply

Step	Action
1	Contact your council
2	Find local scheme
3	Apply
4	May need evidence

What You Might Get

Support	Examples
Energy vouchers	For prepayment
Food vouchers	Supermarket
Essentials	White goods
Crisis payments	Emergency

Local Welfare Assistance

Your Council May Offer

Type	For
Crisis payments	Emergency situations
Community care grants	Essential items
Discretionary fund	As needed

How to Access

Step	Action
Contact council	Directly
Through advice agency	Citizens Advice
Different names	Varies by area
Different criteria	Each council sets

Charitable Grants

Grant Search

Tool	Details
Turn2us	turn2us.org.uk
Grants search	By circumstance
Many charities	Not well known
Worth checking	May qualify

Common Grant Providers

Charity	For
Family Fund	Disabled children
Buttle UK	Children in need
Smallwood Trust	Women in poverty
Elizabeth Finn Fund	Various
Professional charities	By career

Applying for Grants

Tips	Details
Be specific	About need
Provide evidence	Of circumstances
Apply to multiple	If eligible
Takes time	Be patient

Payment Plans

Energy

Arrange With Supplier	Options
Manageable payments	Spread arrears
Budget scheme	Regular fixed payments
Review	If circumstances change

Council Tax

Contact Council	Options
Monthly payments	Standard
Spread remaining	Over fewer months
Change date	If paid monthly

Water

Contact Supplier	Options
Payment plan	For arrears
WaterSure	Capped bills
Social tariff	Discount

Emergency Support

Prepayment Meters

If You Can’t Top Up	Action
Contact supplier	Emergency credit
Fuel vouchers	From council/charity
Warm spaces	Local scheme

Food Support

Type	Where
Food banks	Trussell Trust
Community fridges	Local
School meals	If children qualify
Referral needed	Often from agency

Crisis Support

If Immediate Need	Contact
Citizens Advice	Free help
Local council	Emergency fund
Samaritans	116 123
Money Helper	0800 138 7777

Step-By-Step Action Plan

Week 1

Day	Action
1	List all bills and arrears
2	Check benefit entitlements
3	Apply for council tax reduction
4	Contact energy supplier
5	Apply for Household Support Fund
6-7	Complete applications

Week 2

Action	Details
Contact water company	Social tariff
Check Turn2us	Grants available
Apply for grants	Any eligible
Follow up	Council applications

Ongoing

Monthly	Action
Review budget	Adjust if needed
Check new schemes	Government/local
Maintain payments	That you can afford
Seek advice	If needed

Summary

Energy Help

Scheme	Amount
Warm Home Discount	£150
Hardship funds	Debt write-off
British Gas Energy Trust	Grant
Priority Services	Free services

Council Tax Help

Support	Benefit
Single person discount	25% off
Council Tax Reduction	Up to 100%
Payment plan	Spread payments

Water Help

Scheme	Benefit
WaterSure	Capped bills
Social tariff	Reduced bills
Payment plans	Spread arrears

Other Help

Source	For
Household Support Fund	Via council
Turn2us grants	Various needs
Local welfare	Emergency
Charities	Specific situations

Key Message	Action
Help exists	Apply for it
Contact creditors	Before missing payments
Get advice	Free help available
Don’t suffer alone	Support is there