When money is tight

You do not have to work it out alone

Free, direct routes to practical help. No account, paid upgrade or referral form.

If you cannot pay an essential bill

Contact the provider or council promptly, explain the problem and ask what support is available. If you are unsure which bills to prioritise, use MoneyHelper’s bill prioritiser or find free debt advice. A pending support application does not automatically suspend payments or recovery.

Start with where you live

These links go straight to official services. We do not assess eligibility or collect personal details.

England

Local council support

Find your council and ask about current Crisis and Resilience Fund support. Local eligibility and application routes vary.

Find your council

Scotland

Scottish Welfare Fund

Check Crisis Grants through your council for help with an emergency. Use the official eligibility and application guidance.

Check Crisis Grants

Wales

Discretionary Assistance Fund

Use the Welsh Government’s official service to check which help and application route fits your circumstances.

Check the fund

Northern Ireland

Discretionary Support

Check Finance Support for short-term living expenses or household items. Some help is a loan: read repayment conditions.

Check Discretionary Support

Check the wider picture

Use an independent calculator listed by GOV.UK. Eligibility depends on your household; a calculation is a starting point, not an award.

Ask energy, water and broadband providers about payment support or a relevant social tariff. Changing supplier does not automatically resolve an existing debt.

These nation-specific routes and their original October 2026 source records moved from GoHubi. Check the official service for current local applications and conditions.