Help paying bills

Council tax support

If you have savings of less than £6,000 (or £16,000 if you're a pensioner) you might be entitled to council tax support. To work out how much you might get you can use our online benefit calculator.

If you do qualify for help you can make a council tax support claim online.

Exceptional hardship award

If you're already getting council tax support but you still need help you might be able to get an exceptional hardship award. There are restrictions on how much you can get and payments are only a short-term measure. Find out more about exceptional hardship awards.

Pay by instalments

If you have savings over £6,000 or you don't get council tax support but you can't pay your bill, you can ask to spread your payments over 12 months instead of the normal 10. Contact us to change your council tax instalments.

Payment plans

If you owe council tax you can set up an arrangement to pay what you owe - for example, £20 a month. Make a payment plan for council tax.

You should have had a £400 discount to help with your energy bills over winter 2022 to 2023. You do not have to pay this money back. This is called the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS).

If you use alternative fuels to heat your home such as bottled gas or oil, you should have had a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP).

The EBSS and the AFP closed for new applications on Wednesday 31 May. If you applied for a payment and are still waiting to hear, we'll be in touch within the next four weeks (from the end of May).

Winter fuel payments

Anyone that normally gets the winter fuel payment for pensioners will get an extra one off-payment of between £150 and £300 in winter 2023 and 2024. This will be paid automatically.

Find out more about winter fuel payments

Warm homes scheme

The warm homes scheme can give you up to £150 off your energy bill each year.

Cold weather payments

If you get certain benefits - like pension credit or income support - and the temperature is zero or below for more than seven days you can get £25 extra a week.

Find out more about cold weather payments

Heating grants

If you receive a means tested or disability benefit - like income support or disability living allowance - you might be able to get a grant to help with your heating costs. 

GOV.UK also have advice on things you can do that will make your home cheaper to heat.

Water bills

If you need help paying water bills you should speak to your water supplier first. You might be able to get a discounted rate if you live alone or you might be eligible for the WaterSure scheme that caps how much you pay.

Ofcom have advice on how you can get cheaper phone bills or broadband.