The rising cost of living has already affected millions of households and if you’re struggling to pay essential bills, you’re not alone.
Some households may need urgent or more specialist help than we can provide. If you’re unable to pay a bill, the first step is to contact your provider and tell them. They should be best placed to make sure you are receiving any financial assistance you may be entitled to.
There are also a number of organisations that provide free and confidential assistance. These organisations all offer specialist support to help you with your household finances.
We’ve included a list of some of these organisations in the resources section below.
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If you are having problems with a bill, or your provider in general, your first port of call should be your provider. If they cannot help, if you cannot reach them, or they refuse to help you, you can consider appealing to the ombudsman responsible for handling disputes between consumers and companies.
We have listed some of the key ombudsman services in the resources section below.
| Stepchange
| www.stepchange.org | Stepchange is a charity that helps people manage debt and financial distress. They can also direct you to other resources if required. |
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| Citizens Advice | |
| www.citizensadvice.org.uk | As well as campaigning on behalf of consumers, Citizens Advice offers financial information and support for individuals and households. Visit their website for confidential advice online, or to find out how you can speak to someone over the phone, or in person, for free. |
| Turn2Us | |
| www.turn2us.org.uk | Turn2Us is a national charity that gives practical help to people in financial difficulty. They have a benefits calculator on their website which can tell you which means-tested benefits you may be entitled to, plus a number of other resources and a free helpline. |
| National Debtline | |
| www.nationaldebtline.org | National Debtline is a charity that gives free and independent debt advice over the phone and online. Use their online tool to get debt help. |
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| National Energy Action
| www.nea.org.uk | NEA is the UK’s national fuel poverty charity. They have a free support line and webchat providing advice and support to people struggling to heat their homes. |
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| Warm Home Discount Scheme | |
| www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme | Those on a low income that are struggling to pay their bills could get £150 off their electricity bill for winter under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. |
| Cold Weather Payments | |
| coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk | If the weather gets really cold and you already receive certain benefits, you might qualify for cold-weather payments. These are worth £25 for each seven-day day period of very cold weather. |
| Fuel Bank Foundation | |
| www.fuelbankfoundation.org | Fuel Bank Foundation offers support for those who are struggling with the fuel crisis by helping them to manage costs. |
| Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
| www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest | Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) offers help to homeowners towards interest payments on their mortgages, and loans they’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to their homes. You usually need to be getting other qualifying benefits to be eligible. |
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| HMRC
| www.gov.uk/contact-hmrc | HMRC is the UK's tax, payments and customs authority. You can call their helpline if you have questions about your National Insurance Contributions, Income Tax, Child Benefits, filling out your Self Assessment form, and any other tax-related questions. |
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| Trussell Trust
| www.trusselltrust.org | Trussell Trust supports a national network of food banks, helping feed and support people who are experiencing food poverty. Head to their site to find your local food bank, or call their free helpline to talk to a trained advisor. |
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| Healthy Start Scheme | |
| www.healthystart.nhs.uk | Parents and mums-to-be in receipt of certain benefits can make the most of the Healthy Start scheme which offers vouchers to put towards milk, vegetables and other fridge essentials. |
| Free School Meals | |
| www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals | The UK government funds free school meals for children in England who are attending a state school, free school or academy. ****Click the link to find out if your child is eligible for free school meals. |