The rising cost of living is affecting millions of households across the UK. From higher food prices to increasing energy bills, many people do not realise how much financial support they may be entitled to. This guide explains the main types of cost-of-living support available in the UK and how to check your eligibility.
Households struggling with everyday expenses may qualify for several types of financial support, often without realising it.
People receiving Universal Credit or other low-income benefits may qualify for additional government payments. These are usually paid automatically and require no application.
Local authorities run hardship schemes to support residents facing financial emergencies. Support can include:
Low-income households may be eligible for partial or full reductions on council tax. Support varies by council and may include additional relief for people in arrears.
If you receive Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit, your local authority may offer temporary financial support to cover rent shortfalls.
If you already receive benefits, you may qualify for additional financial support.
Households receiving eligible benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or income-based ESA/JSA may receive automatic cost-of-living payments during certain periods.
Families with children may be able to claim:
People with disabilities may qualify for additional financial help and grants to reduce the cost of daily living.
You may receive extra help if you are claiming:
Additional support may include mobility grants, home adaptation funding, and specialist equipment assistance.
Pensioners face rising energy costs and essential living expenses, but many forms of support are available.
These automatic payments help pension-age households with heating costs.
Over 850,000 eligible pensioners do not claim Pension Credit. It can unlock:
Pensioners receiving certain benefits may qualify automatically.
Energy bills are one of the biggest financial pressures for UK households.
Some suppliers offer one-off credits or debt relief for customers struggling with payments.
You may be eligible for schemes such as:
Households with health issues or vulnerabilities can register for additional support during outages or emergencies.
ECO4 is a major support scheme offering energy-efficiency upgrades worth thousands of pounds.
Eligibility may depend on:
Social tenants often have access to additional protection and support.
Landlords must fix issues such as:
If issues are not resolved after reporting them, you may be entitled to compensation or escalation to an Ombudsman.
Many broadband and mobile providers offer social tariffs for people on certain benefits. These reduced-cost packages often provide reliable speeds at a much lower price.
Councils run local welfare or household support schemes, which may include:
Scams increase during periods of financial support.
Tip: Many households qualify for multiple types of support. Use our free eligibility checker to see what you might be entitled to.