If you're falling behind with your bills and finding yourself struggling to pay, take a look at the schemes and advice available.
Universal Credit
If you are not already claiming any benefits, you might be able to get Universal Credit. This is a monthly payment to help with your living costs if you are on a low income or out of work.
See if you can claim Universal Credit
Housing Benefit
If you are on a low income, you may be able to claim Housing Benefit to help pay your rent. You can claim Housing Benefit whether you are employed or unemployed, a homeowner or private tenant.
See if you can claim housing benefit
Discretionary Housing Payments
If your rent is not met in full by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and you are finding it difficult to pay, you can apply for extra help with a Discretionary Housing Payment.
Apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment
Council Tax Support
If you are on a low income, you can apply for Council Tax Support o help pay your Council Tax. You can claim Council Tax Support whether you are employed or unemployed
Cost of Living payments
You might be eligible for a cost-of-living payment from the government. If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically in the same way you usually receive your benefit or tax credits.
Find out if this payment will be made to you
The Government has announced that eligible households will receive a further £900 in three payments from the Spring.
Household Support Fund
We have limited funding to provide short-term help to households in need with food, energy and water bills and other related essentials. Please see more information on our Help with housing page.
Budgeting loans
You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you’ve been on certain benefits for 6 months. This can be used for household items, rent in advance and travelling costs.
Check if you’re eligible for a Budgeting Loan
Disabled Facilities Grants
These grants help disabled people who need special adaptations to their homes. They are means tested and available to owner-occupiers and tenants, including tenants of social landlords.
Apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant
Get help with interest payments on mortgages or loans
If you’re a homeowner on qualifying benefits, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage or loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home.
Check if you’re eligible for Support for Mortgage Interest
Energy bills
Most energy companies offer help if you are struggling with your bills, including payment plans. Speak with your supplier as soon as possible to see if they can provide any advice or assistance. You can also get in touch with your local Citizens Advice office to find out if you are eligible for fuel vouchers and for general advice.
The Energy Price Guarantee will be kept at £2,500 for an additional three months form April to June 2023. Energy prices are 50% lower than forecast but still remain high and this support helps bridge the gap to lower prices forecast from the end of June.
Helpful information about how to keep your home warm is available from the Hitting the Cold Spots helpline. This is open to all Hampshire residents.
Fleet Lions fuel and utilities project – if you are struggling with your bills, email fuel@fleetlions.org.uk. Full or part Winter Fuel Allowance donations are held in a fund to pay charges for local families in debt to their energy suppliers or water utility.
Find out more about energy bill advice
Electricity discount
Every household is entitled to a £400 discount You don’t need to apply for the discount. It will be paid out by electricity suppliers over six months. Thee first payments started in October 2022. In October and November, households received a discount of £66 per month on their energy bills, rising to £67 each month from December through to March 2023, regardless of how you pay for your energy (i.e. by direct debit or pre-payment meter).
The Warm Home Discount scheme has re-opened which provides a discount of £150 off electricity bills for low-income households. Most households will receive the discount automatically but you can check if you’re eligible at www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-eligible-for-warm-home-discount
Winter Fuel Payment
Winter Fuel Payment is usually automatically paid if you receive the State Pension or another social security benefit (but not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Child Benefit or Universal Credit). If you qualify but have not received an automatic payment, you will need to make a claim.
Cold Weather Payment
You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting some benefits, including Pension Credit, Income Support, Universal Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance. If you’re eligible you will be paid it automatically.
Find out more about Cold Weather Payments
Household Support Energy Voucher scheme
Many households are eligible for a £147 voucher towards energy bills.
People can apply for this if they are a Hampshire resident and should contact their local Citizens Advice.
All that is needed is the following proof: photo ID, proof of address, energy bill and photo of meter.
Water bills
Citizens Advice has guidance about how to speak to your water supplier if you’re having problems paying your water bill. It includes information about special schemes set up by water companies to help you pay your water bill.
You may be entitled to free water-saving devices and advice from your water supplier to help you save money on your bill. To find out more, visit your water supplier’s website:
Broadband and phone
If you are on a low income and claim certain benefits, you may be eligible for a social tariff for your broadband. The government has worked with a range of Internet Service Providers and Mobile Network Operators to deliver low-cost broadband and phone service packages, called social tariffs, for those on low incomes.
Social tariffs are available for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits, with some providers offering deals from £15 a month.
Visit the Ofcom website for details of social tariffs.
Not all of us regularly switch supplier, but it’s worth comparing as you could save money. Try one of the utility comparison websites.
