Support, discounts and benefits

Unsure if you qualify for support? Try this independent, free and anonymous benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to. 

You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you’ve been on certain benefits for 6 months. This can be used to purchase a number of items including:

• furniture or household items (for example, washing machines or other ‘white goods’)
• clothes or footwear
• rent in advance
• costs linked to moving house
• maintenance, improvements or security for your home
• travelling costs within the UK
• costs linked to getting a new job
• maternity costs
• funeral costs
• repaying hire purchase loans
• repaying loans taken for the above items

To find out more and check if you're eligible visit Budgeting Loans: How they work - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits.

Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband. They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.

If you are in receipt of government benefits, you could be saving money right now on your monthly broadband and mobile bills by accessing cheaper deals through a social tariffs. Visit the ofcom website to see if you can switch.

Social tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages - Ofcom

Many water companies have lots of ways they can help make your payments more affordable, from hardship schemes to funding independent charitable trusts which can help you pay your bills. Contact your water company for more information.

The Household Support Fund is funded by central government and distributed by English councils, who know their areas best and can offer direct support for those most in need in their region.

Funding is aimed at the most vulnerable and those who cannot pay for things like energy and water bills, food and essential items.

You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council, and if you do get benefits, they will not be affected.

Local authorities can also issue food vouchers to families during the school holidays.

To find out more visit: Get help with the cost of living from your local council - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

MoneyHelper.org.uk is a website from the Money and Pensions Service which offers free resources on a range of money topics.

You can find tools to assist with vital tasks like prioritising bills, talking to your creditors, and planning your budget. It also provides links to further help, including organisations that provide free debt advice.

To access their free support tools visit https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en 

If you’re struggling with your mortgage rate, you may be able to get help from your mortgage lender.

There are six key ways in which the charter might help you:

• If you’re worried about repayments, you can now contact your lender for help and guidance, without any impact on your credit score.
• If you’re up to date with payments, lenders will let you switch to interest-only payments for six months.
• If you’re approaching the end of a fixed rate deal, you will have the chance to lock in a new deal 6 months ahead.
• If you’re up to date with payments, you can switch to new mortgage deals.
• You can access tailored support from your lender if you’re struggling with payments.
• Homes cannot be repossessed within 12 months of a first missed payment

Find out if your lender has signed the Mortgage Charter by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mortgage-charter/