This guidance is for individuals and households currently experiencing financial difficulty with day-to-day living costs. I
f you are struggling to afford essential items—such as food, heating, or basic household goods—there are several government-backed, charitable, and local support schemes you may be eligible to access.
This page outlines the most relevant and current assistance options available in 2025, including support through local councils, food provision services, and national government schemes.
Immediate Support If You Are Struggling
If you are unable to meet your essential living expenses, you may be entitled to:
- Emergency welfare assistance from your local authority
- Interest-free budgeting advances from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
- Early benefit payments where applicable
- Support from food banks and nutritional supplement schemes
- Targeted grants and cost of living payments from national schemes
Eligibility for these types of support can vary depending on household income, family situation, benefit entitlements, and other factors such as caring responsibilities.
Local Council Assistance
Many local authorities offer welfare assistance schemes for residents facing financial crisis. These may include:
- Vouchers for food, clothing, and utilities
- One-off payments for furniture or white goods (e.g. fridges, cookers)
- Emergency travel costs
- Provision of warm meals
Each local authority has its own eligibility criteria and application process. You do not always need to be receiving benefits to qualify.
To apply:
- Visit your council’s website or contact their welfare support team
- Provide proof of income, residency, and need (where required)
- Enquire specifically about “local welfare assistance” or the Household Support Fund
Food Banks and Nutritional Support
If you cannot afford food, you may be able to receive help through your local food bank. The Trussell Trust operates a national network of food banks across the UK, offering parcels of non-perishable food items for individuals and families in crisis.
Key points:
- Some food banks require a referral (e.g. from a social worker, school, or GP)
- Others offer direct access—check individual food bank policies in your area
- Contents may include a 3-day food supply per parcel
Healthy Start Scheme
You may also be entitled to Healthy Start vitamins and food vouchers if:
- You are at least 10 weeks pregnant
- You have a child under 4 years old
And if you receive one of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (if pregnant)
- Child Tax Credit (and your household income is £16,190 or less)
- Universal Credit (with a household income of £408 or less per month)
- Pension Credit
If under 18 and pregnant, you qualify regardless of benefit status.
You can:
- Request an application form from your midwife or health visitor
- Or call the Healthy Start helpline on 0345 607 6823
Calls from landlines typically cost up to 9p per minute, and mobile calls up to 55p per minute—although many mobile contracts include free calls to landlines.
Household Support Fund (HSF)
The Household Support Fund (HSF) has been extended through 2025–2026. It is a national scheme administered locally by councils to help with essential living costs.
You may be eligible if you:
- Are of working age with a low income
- Are receiving a state pension and live on a limited income
- Are a carer or caring for dependents
- Are experiencing financial hardship due to rising costs
Support from HSF may include:
- Food vouchers
- Utility bill support
- Clothing and household essentials
Check with your council for application windows and eligibility.
Cost of Living Payments
Individuals receiving means-tested benefits may qualify for tax-free cost of living payments. These are issued directly by the DWP in tranches and do not affect your existing benefits.
Eligibility includes those receiving:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
Payment amounts and schedules are subject to annual review by the UK government. To receive them, you must be receiving a qualifying benefit during a set “qualifying period.”
Budgeting Advances and Early Benefit Payments
If you receive Universal Credit or similar benefits and need help managing large or unexpected expenses, you may be eligible for a Budgeting Advance, which is an interest-free loan repayable through your benefits.
Common uses:
- Emergency travel
- Replacing essential household items
- Maternity-related costs
You can apply through your Universal Credit journal or speak with a work coach.
If you are waiting for your first benefit payment to begin, you may also request a short-term benefit advance to cover urgent living expenses.
Debt Repayments and COVID-19-Related Delays
If you previously had a repayment arrangement paused due to COVID-19, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may automatically restart collections. You will receive notice via:
- Direct letter
- Universal Credit journal entry
- Bank notification (if paying by Direct Debit)
If you cannot resume repayments due to hardship, contact the DWP Debt Management Centre directly to discuss alternative arrangements.
Other Financial Support Options
You may also consider the following:
- Budgeting tools – Online services from MoneyHelper or Citizens Advice can help map income and expenses
- Charitable grants – Some charities provide direct grants to individuals based on occupation, health, or location
- Speak with a financial advisor – For advice on managing debts and future planning
Mental Health and Wellbeing
If you are experiencing distress or anxiety due to financial hardship, you are encouraged to seek confidential, free mental health support.
Available services:
- Samaritans – Call 116 123
- SHOUT Crisis Text Line – Text SHOUT to 85258
- Contact your GP for referrals to local services
In an emergency, always dial 999.
Actionable Steps
- Check your eligibility for government support at www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
- Contact your local authority to apply for welfare assistance or HSF
- Visit or contact a local food bank for immediate food aid
- Apply for Healthy Start vouchers if you have young children
- Request a budgeting advance via your Universal Credit journal
- Contact DWP Debt Management if you are unable to resume COVID-related repayments
Support is available. Take proactive steps to access the assistance you may be entitled to.
People also asked...
What options do I have if I cant to afford to live?
You may qualify for assistance to pay for essentials such as food and utilities if you lack sufficient funds. This includes payments for the cost of living and the Household Support Fund. You should investigate your eligibility for benefits; it may be possible to do so despite working, having savings, or owning a property.
How do individuals manage the rising cost of living?
Over one-third of individuals whose cost of living increased reduced their expenditures on food and essentials (35%, or approximately 16 million people). A quarter (23%, or approximately 11 million individuals) reported using savings to fund expenses, while 13% (or approximately 6 million individuals) said they were using more credit than usual.
Who is bearing the brunt of the rising cost of living?
Due to the cost of living crisis, eight out of ten respondents say that children from low-income families were at risk of poverty in their area. 70% of respondents indicated that individuals receiving unemployment benefits were in danger of starvation. Six in ten respondents believe that pensioners are vulnerable to poverty.
What effect do living expenses have on mental health?
Money-related concerns and losses can exacerbate mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, tension, and trouble sleeping. This issue is reciprocal in nature, as compromised mental health can impede one’s ability to effectively cope with financial concerns or sustain a livelihood.
In the UK, what is low income for a single person?
The Minimum Income Standard Project has established a correlation between low pay and the cost of living. Their calculations classify low pay for a single-person household, anything below £25,500 annually, before taxes.
Useful Resources:
- UK Government – Cost of living suport
- Step Change Debt Charity – Coping with the rising cost of living
- Turn 2 us – Support with the cost of living
- The Trussell Trust – The true cost of living
- Citizens Advice – Get help with the cost of living
ECO4 Support Available:
- Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy – Energy Company Obligation
- Ofgem – Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Guidance: Delivery V1.1
- Ofgem – Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- UK Government – Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation
- Which? – Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Other Support Available:
Did this advice help?
Help us improve our website. Your feedback will help us give millions of people the information they need.