Where to get help with the cost of living

Last updated 25^th October 2023

3 min read

The rising cost of living is still on everyone's mind. Thankfully, there are ways you can find support with the cost of living crisis.

Whether you’re worried about energy bills, food prices or other costs, here’s a quick guide to where you can find help.

It’s worth noting that the support listed below may not be available to everyone. The financial help you’re entitled to will depend on your circumstances.

Gov.uk

The government’s cost of living(www.gov.uk opens in a new tab) and Help for Households(helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk opens in a new tab) hubs are good places to start if you need financial support. You’ll find information on how to get help with your income, bills, housing costs and more.

For example, if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits, you might be eligible for the government’s cost of living payment(www.gov.uk opens in a new tab). And if you’re a pensioner who’s eligible for a winter fuel payment(www.gov.uk opens in a new tab), you could also get an extra £150–£300 with the pensioner cost of living payment(www.gov.uk opens in a new tab).

You can also check if you’re entitled to extra help from your local council, such as the Household Support Fund. Contact your local council(www.gov.uk opens in a new tab) to see if you’re eligible for this and other financial support.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice has a Help with the cost of living(www.citizensadvice.org.uk opens in a new tab) page, which includes information on:

• Benefits – Including what benefits you may be eligible for(www.citizensadvice.org.uk opens in a new tab), and how to get certain benefits early(www.citizensadvice.org.uk opens in a new tab).
• Essential costs – Including food banks(www.citizensadvice.org.uk opens in a new tab) and vet care discounts.
• Charitable grants – Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get financial support from a charity such as Turn2us(grants-search.turn2us.org.uk opens in a new tab).
• Personal pensions – If you’re over 55, you may be able to use your pension to help with the rising cost of living, although this will have implications on your retirement and any benefits you receive. (Citizens Advice recommend booking a free appointment with Pensions Wise(www.moneyhelper.org.uk opens in a new tab) to discuss your options with an expert).
• Mental health – Where to find support if you’re struggling (for example, at mind.org.uk(www.mind.org.uk opens in a new tab)).

They also have a budgeting tool(www.citizensadvice.org.uk opens in a new tab) and information on debt help(www.citizensadvice.org.uk opens in a new tab), pensions(www.citizensadvice.org.uk opens in a new tab) and more.

NHS

The NHS’s help with health costs(www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk opens in a new tab) page lets you check if you’re eligible for support, and explains how you can get help with prescriptions, dental costs, travel, eye care and more.

Other useful resources

You can see how much different appliances cost to run using this energy cost calculator(www.gocompare.com opens in a new tab).

Money Helper also have handy cost of living guides(www.moneyhelper.org.uk opens in a new tab) on topics such as mortgage rates, redundancy and pensions.

Related articles

• How to make money in retirement
• What to do if you’re retired and in debt
• What to do if you haven’t saved enough for retirement

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