Emergency grants, loans and money help

You could get a crisis payment if you need money quickly.

For example, if your income goes down suddenly or you have an unexpected expense.

Crisis payments can be for any emergency need. For example:

• food

• urgent travel costs

• energy bills or prepayment meters

• beds, cookers, fridges or washing machines

Crisis payments are part of your council's crisis and resilience fund (CRF).

Your local scheme might be run by your local council, county council or Citizens Advice.

Your council might also help you get money advice or debt support from services in your area.

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You could try to get a grant through:

• a charity

• your council

• your energy supplier

• a trade union if you're a member

• your university, college or student union

How long it takes to get a grant depends on the provider. It could take a few days but it could take up to 3 months.

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You could get housing payments from your council if you get:

• universal credit

• housing benefit

Housing payments could help with:

• rent if benefits do not cover your full rent

• rent increases and arrears

• a deposit, rent in advance or moving costs

If you are being evicted or cannot pay your rent

Ask your council about their homeless prevention fund. It could help you stay in your home. For example, by paying off your rent arrears.

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You could reduce your council tax bill through:

• council tax support if you have a low income

• a discount if you live alone or someone in your home is disabled

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You can ask your supplier to:

• delay your bill

• remove late payment charges

• allow you to pay over a longer period

Some suppliers offer hardship grants if you cannot pay your bills.

Most suppliers give a £150 discount to people on low income benefits.

Pension age people can get a winter fuel payment.

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Every water company has a bill reduction scheme for some customers on a low income.

Some water companies also have:

• hardship schemes

• debt support schemes

Should you switch to a water meter?

You might save money if you have a larger home.

But a water meter might cost more if you have a large family or live in a smaller home.

It's usually free to switch. In many areas, you have 2 years to go back to an unmetered charge if you're not happy.

The CCW water meter calculator gives a rough idea of what your bills might be if you switch.

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Ask your council about local schemes that help with furniture and household items

End Furniture Poverty have:

• advice on finding free furniture and appliances

• a local welfare assistance finder – search for your council scheme

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Food banks give at least 3 days of food for people with a food voucher.

Some food banks give out things like nappies, toothpaste, tampons, period pads or pet food.

They are run by charities and community groups.

Ask for a food voucher from a doctor, health visitor, social worker, school or advice service.

You might also get debt or housing advice at a food bank.

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You could get cheaper broadband or phone deals if you get benefits like:

• universal credit

• pension credit

• income related ESA

These lower tariffs do not always appear on price comparison websites.

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A loan from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is interest free.

This means you only pay back what you borrow.

It is a better option than a payday loan or borrowing from a doorstep lender.

But it is still a loan. Your benefits are lower until the money is repaid.

Table: Types of DWP loan

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Credit unions aim to help members who need financial support.

Their loans are not interest free.

They are often more expensive than personal loans from a bank or building society. But it may be easier to get a loan if you have a poor credit history.

You need to be a credit union member to apply for a loan.

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Check how much money you should get with a free online calculator:

• Better off calculator (Policy in Practice)

• entitledto benefits calculator

• Turn2us benefits calculator

• Age UK benefits calculator

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Find out where to get:

• benefits advice

• debt and money advice

Help through Hardship helpline is run by the Trussell Trust and Citizens Advice. An adviser could help you get the support you need.

Avoid payday loans and doorstep lenders

These types of loans are expensive and often make your situation worse.

Doorstep lenders must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

It's illegal for people who are not regulated to charge you for borrowing money. They are known as 'loan sharks'.

StepChange Debt Charity has advice on:

• payday loans

• doorstep lending

• illegal loan sharks

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Easy read advice guides if you have a learning disability.

Benefits and paying rent

• How to apply for universal credit

• How to get benefit money to help pay your rent

• How to manage your money so you can pay your rent

Help with council tax

• Council tax support

• Money off your council tax bill

• Getting money off your council tax when you move to universal credit

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