If you’re finding it difficult to pay for food or to heat your home, we might be able to help with these costs for up to four weeks, through our immediate needs grant.

You can call our friendly helpline team on 0300 303 9888, or complete the online form. 

For longer term support, there are several organisations which may be able to support you.

Organisations that can help

  • Royal British Legion can provide up to £2,400 over 12 months to help with things such as kitchen appliances, clothes and energy costs through its Everyday needs grants.
  • Lightning Reach can help you find out what financial support is available.

Support in England

  • Your local council in England might be able to help with their Household Support Fund.
  • Gov.uk website has information about how to cover the cost of living. You can get an extra payment if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits additional to your salary.

Support in Wales

  • The Discretionary Assistance Fund can cover the cost of food, gas, electricity, clothing and travel. It also has a grant to help people live independently.
  • Wales has a winter fuel payment support scheme to help with gas and electricity bills. It’s open to people who are claiming benefits. This is on top of the winter fuel payment scheme available to people in the UK, who are aged 66 or older. See ‘Energy bills’ section on this page.

Support in Scotland

  • The Crisis Grant could help if you’re on a low income and are facing a crisis. The Community Care Grant can help people establish or maintain a settled home.
  • Poppy Scotland provides financial support to veterans and their families.

Support in Northern Ireland

  • The Finance Support Service might be able to help you in times of crisis or need. They can help through a Discretionary Support scheme or a Short-term Benefit Advance.
  • Make the Call, the nidirect service in Northern Ireland, aims to ensure people are aware of all the benefits they can claim.

Energy bills

  • National Energy Action offers advice and support if you are struggling to heat your home.
  • Energy Saving Trust has advice that could help you save money on your bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
  • The 'Winter Fuel Payment' could help you pay your heating bills. If you were born on or before 25 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600.


Food

If you need cost of living support, you can call our friendly helpline team on 0300 303 9888, or complete the online form.

Get help

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