Benefits for Specific Situations — Students, Carers, Veterans and MoreHelp 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.
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 | 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 |
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