Benefits for Specific Situations — Students, Carers, Veterans and More Help With Bills If Struggling UK — All Options Complete guide to help paying bills UK. Grants, discounts, payment plans, and support available if you're struggling to pay energy, water, council tax, and other bills.
By James Whitfield
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23 March 2026
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Last reviewed: 15 September 2026
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5 min read If you’re struggling with bills, help is available. Here’s a complete guide to all support options.
For a dedicated overview of energy-related support schemes, including bill discounts, winter payments and hardship routes, see our Energy Grants, Discounts and Help with Bills hub .
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 Scheme typically reopens in October, paid over winter Core Group 1 Automatic (Pension Credit Guarantee 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 £200 or £300 depending on date of birth — now means-tested, with a clawback if your income is above the threshold. Check current eligibility on gov.uk, as the rules changed significantly from 2024/25
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
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