Financial support for residents

If you are struggling financially we are here to help. You may be entitled to our grants, benefits and other support.

You should always check GOV.UK’s benefits information to see if you are entitled to receive any central government support, for example Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance.

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Talk to us about financial support

If you would like to talk in confidence to one of our customer care officers to check if you are eligible for any support, you can:

We also hold weekly advice sessions for housing, welfare benefit, and money advice at our One Stop Shops.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

The UK Government has provided funding for us to support low-income households who are experiencing financial crisis.

Find out more including how to apply on our Crisis and Resilience Fund page.

Housing costs

You can apply for Universal Credit or Housing Benefit if you are struggling to pay your rent.

If you are already receiving Universal Credit or Housing Benefit you can apply for our discretionary housing payment.

This support is only available for people living in rented or part-rented accommodation.

If you own your home and cannot meet your repayments you should speak to your mortgage provider to find out what help they can offer.

For example, you may be able to temporarily stop your mortgage payments.

Council tax support

There is help available if you are struggling to pay your council tax. You can check if you are eligible for any council tax discounts or exemptions, including council tax reduction.

You can read more on local council tax reduction.

You can also spread your payment instalments out over 12 months instead of the usual 10.
Email CouncilTax@southglos.gov.uk  using the subject title ‘Council Tax instalment amendment’ and include your name, address and billing number in the email.

Debt problems

If you are struggling with stress caused by debt, the government scheme called ‘Breathing Space’ allows you to focus on getting debt advice and a plan in place without worrying about additional charges or being chased for payment.

There are 2 types of Breathing Space: Standard and Mental Health Crisis. If you are getting mental health crisis treatment, your protection from creditors will be longer.

Find out more about the scheme, including the eligibility criteria: Breathing Space (GOV.UK).

More detailed information about each type can be found on the The Mental Health and Money Advice service website.

Standard applications must be made through a regulated debt adviser. Local debt advice agencies include:

You can also use the MoneyHelper website to find a free debt adviser.

For Mental Health Crisis applications, speak to a healthcare professional involved in your care about whether they can help you to apply.

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Help with household bills

There are various grants, support schemes and discount tariffs that can help you with your household bills.

Energy

Talk to your energy supplier if you are struggling to pay your bill. Suppliers must work with you to agree a payment plan you can afford. You may also be eligible for a grant if your supplier has a support or hardship fund.

Warm and Well administers grants for energy-efficient home improvements on our behalf. An improvement such as insulation can keep your home warmer in the winter and help save money on your energy bills.

Call their helpline to find out what is available: 0800 500 3076.

More advice on keeping your home a comfortable temperature.

Water

Wessex Water offers several support schemes if you need help paying your water bill.

Visit Wessex Water for more information and to check your eligibility.

Broadband and phone

If you are on certain benefits such as Universal Credit you may qualify for a cheaper broadband and phone package. These basic or essential packages are sometimes called social tariffs.

Check Ofcom’s current list of providers and social tariff packages.

Food support

Support is available to make sure you are getting enough to eat.

Visit the One You South Gloucestershire website getting enough to eat page for information on:

  • emergency food aid and food banks
  • Healthy Start vouchers
  • free school meals

Parents on low incomes

We have Department for Education funding to provide free activity clubs for eligible children and young people during school holidays. Visit our information directory for full details about the school holiday activities and food programme.

School clothing costs

We provide help towards the cost of essential school clothing for parents in receipt of certain benefits. Visit our school clothing grants page for details.

Independent financial advice

This includes:

  • money advice
  • preventing money problems
  • dealing with debt

Visit our information directory website for further details on how to get independent financial advice.

Other things that can help

A number of organisations provide financial support through grants, gifts, advances and loans including: 

You can search for more grants at Turn2Us.

Visit the national Citizens Advice website or get advice from the South Gloucestershire branch.

For members of the Armed Forces, the Royal British Legion has launched a Cost of Living Grants Programme. You can find out more and how to apply on their website.

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