Government-backed support for individuals and families facing rising living costs.

This page details the current government support available to UK residents struggling with essential living costs in 2025. Financial aid is available for utility bills, food, rent, council tax, and internet access to eligible residents of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific scheme and benefit status.

UK residents who are struggling with essential living costs in 2025 may be eligible for government support. Financial aid is available for eligible residents of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and can be used for expenses such as utility bills, food, rent, council tax, and internet access. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the specific scheme and benefit status.

Household Support Fund (England)

The Household Support Fund offers financial aid for essential household expenses is available to struggling residents in England through the Household Support Fund, which is administered by local authorities.

  • Energy and water bills
  • Food and essential household items
  • Emergency needs during periods such as school holidays

Residents can apply for this new aid regardless of whether they are receiving benefits. This aid will not impact any existing government assistance that applicants may be receiving. Contact your local council for details on the application process and to determine the amount of assistance available in your area.

What You May Receive:

  • Vouchers for food or essentials
  • Short-term support grants
  • Direct assistance with bills

Cost of Living Allowance (UK-wide)

Individuals receiving means-tested benefits will automatically continue to receive Cost of Living Payments directly in 2025.

Eligible Benefits:

  • Universal Credit
  • Pension Credit
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support
  • Tax Credits

Payment Schedule:

  • £301 – First Cost of Living Payment (Spring 2023)
  • £150 – Disability Cost of Living Payment (Summer 2023)
  • £300 – Second Cost of Living Payment (Autumn 2023)
  • £300 – Pensioner Payment (Winter 2023/24)
  • £299 – Third Cost of Living Payment (Spring 2024)

Every payment is made automatically and put into the bank accounts that the recipients have entered. There is no need to take any action.

Additional Pensioner Support

Pensioners who meet the requirements for the Winter Fuel Payment will receive an extra £300 Cost of Living Payment to help cover rising heating costs during the 2024/2025 winter season.

Depending on individual circumstances, some people may receive additional winter support payments of £100 to £600, on top of their standard Winter Fuel Payment. These additional payments are automatic and do not require a separate application.

Budgeting Loans

A Budgeting Loan from the government may be available to those who have been claiming certain benefits for a minimum of six months in a row. This loan can be used for various expenses:

  • Furniture or household items
  • Rent in advance
  • Funeral costs
  • Work-related travel expenses

Repayments for interest-free loans acquired through your Universal Credit or Jobcentre Plus account are immediately deducted from your benefits.

Cheaper Broadband and Mobile Access

Major telecommunications providers offer discounted broadband and mobile contracts, referred to as social tariffs, to households receiving government benefits.

How to Access:

  • Contact your provider directly and request to be placed on a social tariff
  • Provide proof of benefit eligibility if requested

Participating providers may offer reduced rates starting from £10–£20 per month.

Help Paying Your Water Bill

Customers struggling to pay their water bills can get financial help from UK water companies through their financial assistance programs:

  • Bill reductions
  • Payment breaks or caps
  • Access to charitable trust funds

To submit an application, get in touch with your water provider and inquire about their financial assistance program.

Housing Cost Assistance

Housing Benefit

If you reside in council housing, housing association, or sheltered accommodation and need help paying your rent, you may be eligible for Housing Benefit:

  • You are of pension age
  • You live in temporary or supported accommodation
  • You are not receiving Universal Credit

Universal Credit Housing Element

Those on Universal Credit can receive additional support to help cover:

  • Rent on private or council housing
  • Mortgage interest (conditions apply)
  • Service charges for communal facilities

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)

If your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing support does not cover your full rent, you may apply for Discretionary Housing Payments from your local council.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

Homeowners may be able to receive help with interest payments on:

  • Mortgages
  • Home improvement loans
  • Adaptations related to disability or safety

To qualify, you must be receiving an income-related benefit. Payments are made as loans and must be repaid when you sell or transfer ownership of your home.

Council Tax Reduction

Most local councils offer Council Tax Reduction schemes to assist low-income households. The amount of reduction depends on:

  • Your income
  • Your household composition
  • Local council policies

Apply directly through your council’s website or customer service centre.

95% Mortgages through the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme allows first-time buyers and current homeowners to access government-backed mortgages with only a 5% deposit.

Key Features:

  • Available for homes valued up to £600,000
  • Open to first-time buyers and existing homeowners
  • Applies to repayment mortgages (not interest-only)

Contact your mortgage provider to determine your eligibility and how to apply.

Instructions for Accessing Support

  1. Check your eligibility based on the criteria outlined above.
  2. Contact your local council or benefit office for the most current application instructions and deadlines.
  3. Use official channels only – including GOV.UK, your council’s official website, or a registered benefits adviser.
  4. Keep documentation ready, such as proof of income, benefit award letters, and housing agreements, to speed up the application process.
  5. Apply as early as possible to avoid delays, especially for one-time or seasonal payments.

All schemes mentioned are subject to local administrative policies and available funding. For any updates, visit your council’s website or GOV.UK regularly.

Additional Pensioner Support

During the winter period of 2024/2025, pensioners who qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment will be given an additional £300 Cost of Living Payment to assist with rising heating expenses.

Winter support payments, ranging from £100 to £600 depending on individual circumstances, may be provided in addition to the standard Winter Fuel Payment. These payments are issued automatically and do not require a separate application.

Budgeting Loans

A Budgeting Loan from the government may be available to those who have been claiming certain benefits for a minimum of six months in a row. This loan can be used for various expenses:

  • Furniture or household items
  • Rent in advance
  • Funeral costs
  • Work-related travel expenses

Repayments for these interest-free loans are immediately subtracted from the benefits you receive. Use your Universal Credit or Jobcentre Plus account to apply.

Broadband and Mobile

Major telecommunications providers offer discounted broadband and mobile contracts, referred to as social tariffs, to households receiving government benefits.

How to Access:

  • Contact your provider directly and request to be placed on a social tariff
  • Provide proof of benefit eligibility if requested

Participating providers may offer reduced rates starting from £10–£20 per month.

Help Paying Your Water Bill

Customers struggling to pay their water bills can get financial help from UK water companies through their financial assistance programs:

  • Bill reductions
  • Payment breaks or caps
  • Access to charitable trust funds

To submit an application, get in touch with your water provider and inquire about their financial assistance program.

Housing Cost Assistance

Housing Benefit

If you reside in council housing, housing association, or sheltered accommodation and need help paying your rent, you may be eligible for Housing Benefit:

  • You are of pension age
  • You live in temporary or supported accommodation
  • You are not receiving Universal Credit

Universal Credit Housing Element

Those on Universal Credit can receive additional support to help cover:

  • Rent on private or council housing
  • Mortgage interest (conditions apply)
  • Service charges for communal facilities

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)

If your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing support does not cover your full rent, you may apply for Discretionary Housing Payments from your local council.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

Homeowners may be able to receive help with interest payments on:

  • Mortgages
  • Home improvement loans
  • Adaptations related to disability or safety

To qualify, you must be receiving an income-related benefit. Payments are made as loans and must be repaid when you sell or transfer ownership of your home.

Council Tax Reduction

Most local councils offer Council Tax Reduction schemes to assist low-income households. The amount of reduction depends on:

  • Your income
  • Your household composition
  • Local council policies

Apply directly through your council’s website or customer service centre.

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme allows first-time buyers and current homeowners to access government-backed mortgages with only a 5% deposit.

Key Features:

  • Available for homes valued up to £600,000
  • Open to first-time buyers and existing homeowners
  • Applies to repayment mortgages (not interest-only)

Contact your mortgage provider to determine your eligibility and how to apply.

Instructions for Accessing Support

  1. Check your eligibility based on the criteria outlined above.
  2. Contact your local council or benefit office for the most current application instructions and deadlines.
  3. Use official channels only – including GOV.UK, your council’s official website, or a registered benefits adviser.
  4. Keep documentation ready, such as proof of income, benefit award letters, and housing agreements, to speed up the application process.
  5. Apply as early as possible to avoid delays, especially for one-time or seasonal payments.

All schemes mentioned are subject to local administrative policies and available funding. For any updates, visit your council’s website or GOV.UK regularly.