Emergency grants, loans and money help

Use a free online calculator:

• Better off calculator (Policy in Practice)

• entitledto benefits calculator

• Turn2us benefits calculator

• Age UK benefits calculator

Check how much money you should get.

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Your council could help with food, bills, or important living costs.

Search 'household support' or 'local welfare scheme' on your council's website.

Phone, email or visit their office in person if you cannot find information online.

Your council might:

• give you a grant or loan

• offer vouchers instead of money

• tell you about local charities that can help

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You could get discretionary housing payments (DHPs) if you claim either:

• universal credit

• housing benefit

You get DHPs from the council.

Find out more about:

• help with rent

• how to deal with rent arrears

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There are 2 ways you could reduce your council tax bill:

• council tax support if your income is low enough

• a discount in some situations

For example, if you live alone or with someone who is disabled.

Council tax support is also called council tax reduction.

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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

Find out about help with energy bills and debts.

Ask about energy saving help if you rent from the council or a housing association. Better insulation could reduce your bills in the longer term.

You might save money with a water meter if you have a larger home. But it might cost more if you have a large family or live in a smaller home.

Consumer Council for Water (CCW) have:

• advice on help with water bills

• a water meter calculator - to help you check if you could save money on a meter

Citizens Advice have more on changing to a water meter.

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A grant is usually better than a loan because you do not have to pay it back.

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 be as quick as 5 days but it could take up to 3 months.

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

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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End Furniture Poverty has:

• advice on finding free furniture and white goods

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

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You could get an interest free loan from:

• your local council

• the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

If you're facing eviction or homelessness the council might offer a loan to:

• pay off rent or mortgage arrears

• use as a deposit for another tenancy

Make sure you can afford the repayments.

DWP loans and advances

You could get a universal credit advance in the 5 week wait for your first payment.

You might need an advance if you cannot afford food, rent or important bills while you wait.

You could get a budgeting advance or loan if you need to pay for:

• household items such as cookers, fridges or beds

• rent in advance or removal costs if moving home

• repairs or security improvements to your home

You must be on universal credit or a low income benefit for at least 6 months to get a budgeting advance or loan.

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Credit union 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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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 financial situation worse.

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

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

StepChange has advice on:

• payday loans

• doorstep lending

• illegal loan sharks

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