Cost of living support
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1. Overview
Find out what support is available to help with the cost of living. This includes income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.
Check benefits and financial support you can get
Answer a few questions to find out what support you might be able to get to help with living costs if you live in the UK. Check benefits and financial support you can get.
Scams
You may get calls, emails or messages that are pretending to be from a government service or an energy bill support scheme. If you get a message asking for your personal details (for example, bank details or passwords) this could be a scam. Report anything you think is suspicious.
Support available in England
This guide covers cost of living support available in England.
Find out about cost of living support in Scotland, support in Wales and support in Northern Ireland.
Benefits, tax and work
Find out what support is available to help increase your income. This includes the Cost of Living Payment, Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance.
Living costs: bills, housing and health
Find out what support is available to help with bills and costs. This includes support with utility bills, support from your local council and Council Tax Reduction.
If you’re 60 or over
Find out what support is available if you’re 60 or over. This includes Pension Credit, discounted travel and how to check your State Pension.
If you’re disabled or have a health condition
Find out what support is available if you’re disabled or have a health condition. This includes disability benefits, the Disability Cost of Living Payment and support with prescriptions and health costs.
Childcare and maternity costs
Find out what support is available with childcare and maternity costs. This includes free childcare hours and free school meals.
Managing money, savings and debt
Find advice for managing money, including budgeting advice and debt support.
If you’re finding things difficult
Find support if money worries are impacting your mental health or you’re affected by domestic abuse.
2. Benefits, tax and work
Find out what support is available in England to help increase your income. This includes the Cost of Living Payment, Universal Credit and Carer’s Allowance.
Find out about cost of living support in Scotland, support in Wales and support in Northern Ireland.
Payments and benefits
Cost of Living Payment
If you’re on certain benefits or tax credits check if you’re eligible for the Cost of Living Payment.
Universal Credit
Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit to get a regular payment to help with living costs if:
- you’re on a low income
- you’re out of work
- you cannot work
Carer’s Allowance
If you care for someone who gets certain benefits at least 35 hours a week check if you’re eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work or if you need support to get back into work you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance.
New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
If you need help when you’re looking for work check if you’re eligible for New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Access to Work
If you have a physical or mental health condition or disability you can check if you’re eligible for Access to Work. This gives help to get or stay in work.
Reduce your tax bill
Marriage Allowance
If you’re married or in a civil partnership you can check if you’re eligible for Marriage Allowance. This lets you transfer some of your personal tax allowance to your partner if you do not pay Income Tax.
Tax relief on work-related expenses
Check if you can claim tax relief on things you need to buy for your job.
Other help you can get
National Minimum Wage and Living Wage calculator for workers
If you’re employed, you can use this calculator to check if you’re getting the minimum wage.
Budgeting Loan
Check if you’re eligible for a Budgeting Loan or Budgeting Advance if you’ve been getting one or more of these benefits for the past 6 months:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
You could get a Budgeting Advance even if you’ve not been getting one of these benefits for the past 6 months if you’re on Universal Credit and need the money to help you start a new job or stay in work.
Help to Save
If you get certain benefits and you’re on a low income you can get a bonus on your savings. Check if you’re eligible for support with savings (Help to Save).
3. Living costs: bills, housing and health
Find out what support is available to help with bills and costs in England. This includes support with utility bills, support from your local council and Council Tax Reduction.
Find out about cost of living support in Scotland, support in Wales and support in Northern Ireland
Support with utility bills
Help with energy bills
Find out what help you can get with energy bills, including the Energy Price Guarantee and support if you use alternative fuels.
Find out help you can get from your local council (Household Support Fund)
Find out about help you can get with essential costs. This includes food, energy and water bills.
Cheaper phone and broadband (‘social tariffs’)
If you’re getting certain benefits find out if you can get cheaper phone and broadband on the Ofcom website.
Help paying your water bill
Support with housing costs
Council Tax Reduction
If you’re on a low income or certain benefits you can check if you’re eligible to reduce your Council Tax.
Help paying rent (Discretionary Housing Payments)
If you need support with rent or housing costs you can check if you’re eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment from your local council.
Housing cost help with Universal Credit
If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you can get help paying for housing (for example, rent and mortgage interest). Find out more about housing costs and Universal Credit.
Housing Benefit
If you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing you can check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit for help to pay your rent.
Other help you can get
Get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs
Answer a few questions to find out what help you can get to pay for health costs such as prescriptions, eye and dental care.
If you get Universal Credit or Jobseeker’s Allowance
Check if you’re eligible for a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card on the National Rail website. This gives a discount on some rail tickets.
4. If you’re 60 or over
Find out what support is available if you’re 60 or over in England. This includes checking your eligibility for Pension Credit, discounted travel and how to check your State Pension.
Find out about cost of living support in Scotland, support in Wales and support in Northern Ireland
Check your State Pension
Check your State Pension age to find the earliest age you can start receiving your State Pension.
Check your State Pension to find out how much you could get, when you can get it and how to increase it.
If you’re over State Pension age
Pension Credit
If you’re over State Pension age and on a low income you can apply for Pension Credit for help with your living costs.
Housing Benefit
If you’ve reached State Pension age or are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing you can check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit for help to pay your rent.
Support with travel costs
Older person’s bus pass
If you’re State Pension age or older you can apply for an older person’s bus pass to travel on the bus for free.
Senior Railcard
If you’re 60 or over you can apply for a Senior Railcard on the National Rail website to get a discount on the cost of rail tickets.
Other help you can get
Get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs
Answer a few questions to find out what help you can get to pay for health costs such as prescriptions, eye and dental care.
Free or discounted TV licence
If you’re 75 or over and, you or your partner, get Pension Credit you can get a free TV licence. If you’re in residential care or sheltered accommodation you can get a discounted TV licence. Check if you’re eligible for a free or discounted TV licence.
5. If you’re disabled or have a health condition
Find out what support is available if you’re disabled or have a health condition in England. This includes disability benefits, the Disability Cost of Living Payment and support with prescriptions and health costs.
Find out about cost of living support in Scotland, support in Wales and support in Northern Ireland
Support you can get
Disability Cost of Living Payment
If you get disability benefits find out about the Disability Cost of Living Payment.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
If you have a long term health condition or disability and have difficulty doing everyday tasks or getting around you can check if you’re eligible for the Personal Independence Payment.
Carer’s Allowance
If you care for someone who gets certain benefits at least 35 hours a week check if you’re eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
Attendance Allowance
If you’re of State Pension age and have a physical or mental health condition you can check if you’re eligible for Attendance Allowance.
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work or if you need support to get back into work you can apply for Employment and Support Allowance.
Universal Credit if you’re disabled
If you have a health condition or disability that prevents you from working and you’re on Universal Credit check if you’re eligible for a disability Universal Credit payment.
Disability Living Allowance for children
If you look after a disabled child you can check if you’re eligible for Disability Living Allowance.
Access to Work
If you have a physical or mental health condition or disability you can check if you’re eligible for Access to Work. This gives help to get or stay in work.
Disabled Facilities Grants
Find out if you can get a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home such as:
- widening doors
- installing ramps or grab rails
- improving access around your home
Discounted TV licence if you’re registered blind
If you’re registered blind you can apply for a discount on your TV licence.
Support with travel costs
Disabled person’s bus pass
If you’re disabled you can check your eligibility for an disabled person’s bus pass to travel on the bus for free.
Disabled Person’s Railcard
If you’re disabled you can check if you’re eligible for a Disabled Person’s Railcard on the National Rail website to get a discount on the cost of rail tickets.
Get help with NHS prescriptions and health costs
Answer a few questions to find out what help you could get to pay for health costs such as prescriptions, eye and dental care.
6. Childcare and maternity costs
Find out what support is available with childcare and maternity costs in England. This includes free childcare hours and free school meals.
Find out about cost of living support in Scotland, support in Wales and support in Northern Ireland
Support you can get
Child Benefit
If you’re responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training) you can get help with child-related costs. Check if you’re eligible for Child Benefit.
Tax-Free Childcare
If you need help with the costs of childcare, check if you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare.
Free childcare for 2 to 4-year-olds if you’re working
If you’re working and your child is aged 2 to 4, check if you’re eligible for free childcare.
15 hours free childcare a week for 3 to 4-year-olds
All 3 to 4-year-olds can get free childcare. Find out about 15 hours free childcare a week.
Free childcare for 2-year-olds
If you get certain benefits and your child is 2 years old, check if you’re eligible for free childcare.
Universal Credit and childcare
If you’re getting Universal Credit you can claim back some of your childcare costs. Find out about support available with childcare if you’re on Universal Credit.
Support with food and milk for your child
Free school meals
Your child may be able to get free school meals. Check if your child is eligible for free school meals on your council’s website.
Healthy Start (food and milk for your child)
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 and you’re getting certain benefits you can get help to buy healthy food and milk. Check if you’re eligible for help to buy food and milk for your child on the NHS website.
Support with maternity costs
Maternity Allowance
You may be eligible for Maternity Allowance, if:
- you’re employed but cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
- you’re self-employed
- you’ve recently stopped working
Check if you’re eligible for Maternity Allowance.
Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you or your partner get certain benefits and you’re having a child check if you’re eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Support with travel costs
Home to school transport
Find out if your child is eligible for help with the cost of home to school transport.
Family and Friends Railcard
If you travel by rail with your children check if you’re eligible for Family and Friends Railcard on the National Rail website.
7. Managing money, savings and debt
Find advice for managing your money. This includes budgeting advice and debt support.
Money and pensions advice
If you need help with your money and pension choices you can get free, confidential and impartial advice on the MoneyHelper website.
How to budget
Get support with making a budget on the Citizens Advice website to help to understand what you’re earning and spending and where you might be able to cut costs.
Budgeting Loan
Check if you’re eligible for a Budgeting Loan or Budgeting Advance if you’ve been getting one or more of these benefits for the past 6 months:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
You could get a Budgeting Advance even if you’ve not been getting one of these benefits for the past 6 months if you’re on Universal Credit and need the money to help you start a new job or stay in work.
Help to Save
If you get certain benefits and you’re on a low income you can get a bonus on your savings. Check if you’re eligible for support with savings (Help to Save).
Dealing with your debts
Answer a few questions to find what options are available if you cannot pay your debts.
8. If you’re finding things difficult
Find support if money worries are impacting your mental health or you’re affected by domestic abuse.
Talk to a GP if money problems are affecting your mental health and wellbeing.
Support with mental health
Get urgent help with mental health
Find out how to get help on the NHS website.
Support with money and mental health
Get support on the Mind website, including organising your finances, claiming benefits and looking after your mental health when you’re worried about money.
Samaritans
Call the Samaritans to talk to a trained volunteer anonymously for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123
24-hour service
Free to call - find out more about call charges
There are also other ways to contact Samaritans.
Shout 85285 (text support)
You can text a trained Shout 85285 volunteer anonymously for free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
Shout 85285
Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
24-hour service
Free to text from most major UK mobile networks
Support if you’re affected by domestic abuse
Refuge
If you’re a woman or child who has experienced domestic abuse contact Refuge for support.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Telephone: 0808 2000 247
24-hour service
Free to call - find out more about call charges
Men’s Advice Line
If you’re a man who has experienced domestic abuse contact the Men’s Advice Line for confidential advice, non-judgmental support and practical information.
Men’s Advice Line
Telephone: 0808 801 0327
Monday to Friday, 10am to 8pm
Free to call - find out more about call charges
There are also other ways to contact the Men’s Advice Line.
Galop
If you’re LGBT+ and experiencing abuse or violence contact Galop for support.
Galop
Telephone: 0800 999 5428
Monday to Thursday, 10am to 8:30pm
Friday, 10am to 4:30pm
Free to call - find out more about call charges