Getting financial support

Get help with your energy bills

Energy bills can be expensive year round.

You might be able to bring your bills down by:

• using electricity at off-peak times. If you have a smart meter, this should get you discounted rates
• checking with your fuel supplier to see if they can help you clear any energy bill arrears
• asking your housing association, if you’re a tenant, if they offer any support with bills, or can help you make changes to improve your heating or insulation
• making your home energy efficient. Your energy supplier and Citizens Advice can tell you more about this
• looking into government schemes - programmes like Help to Heat might be able to provide funding to help you make your home cheaper to heat. 

Tariffs

An energy tariff is the way an energy provider charges you for your energy. With a standard tariff, the amount you pay for what you use changes regularly, depending on the price of energy. For fixed rate tariffs, the rate charged each month stays the same for a fixed amount of time.

Ask your supplier if they have cheaper options available. Citizens Advice have some examples you can explore.

Comparison sites such as Uswitch may help too.

Don’t forget that energy prices can change, so a price that is good now might not be so good if you fix it for the year - you might miss out on lower prices later on.

Find the best phone and broadband deals

If you get certain means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you might be able to get cheaper broadband or phone deals.

Providers have lots of different packages - check out the details to see if any could save you money. 

While we can’t recommend any particular provider, it’s worth checking to see if any would work for you.

For a list of what’s out there, Ofcom have more information on cheaper broadband and phone packages.

Don’t jump into anything - check out what’s available and whether it would suit you.

Getting a benefits entitlement check

It’s important to know what you’re entitled to. Our expert helpline can provide a free benefit entitlement check for you. This will give you an idea of what benefits and financial support you can claim. 

Call our helpline on 0808 800 0303 or email [email protected] to see what you could claim.

Claiming certain benefits could mean you are entitled to any additional government cost of living payments in the future, so it’s worth claiming. 

We also have more information on grants, loans and other support which you may be entitled to.

Support if you’re over pension age

Many people aren't aware they can claim Pension Credit if they’re over state pension age. State pension age is currently 66 for women and men.

Pension Credit is paid to top up retirement pensions.

Whether you can get it depends on your income and savings, or if you're a carer. It's also affected if you or your partner receive a disability benefit.

Pension Credit might help you get other things such as Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction.

You can use the government’s online calculator if you're eligible, or contact our helpline.

If you’re still working

You may still be eligible for a disability benefit such as a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment, or other financial support

If you can’t work, you may be entitled to Employment and Support allowance based on your national insurance contributions if you have received Statutory Sick Pay for a total of 28 weeks - even if your employer is still paying you. This isn’t means-tested.

Other ways to keep costs down

You could also try:

• Applying for a CEA Card - entitling you to a free cinema ticket for a companion if you need to have someone with you at the cinema. 
• Travel schemes to reduce transport costs. 
• Seeing if you can get money off your Council Tax bill (or your Rate bill in Northern Ireland). Our helpline or your council’s website can advise. 

Our helpline can give more information and support on managing your finances. Call on 0808 800 0303 or email [email protected]