Money and debt
Are you eligible for financial support?
You may be able to get extra money to help with your living costs if you’re on a low income, care for a family member, friend or neighbour who claims benefits, or you’re over State Pension age.
It’s quick and easy to check what payments you’re eligible for with our free online benefits calculator.
Use our online benefits checker.
Pension Credit for those on low income
You could get extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income: even if you have savings or own your own home.
Check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit
Mortgage Charter
If you’re struggling with your mortgage rate, you may be able to get help from your mortgage lender.
There are six key ways in which the charter might help you:
- If you’re worried about repayments, you can now contact your lender for help and guidance, without any impact on your credit score.
- If you’re up to date with payments, lenders will let you switch to interest-only payments for six months.
- If you’re approaching the end of a fixed rate deal, you will have the chance to lock in a new deal 6 months ahead.
- If you’re up to date with payments, you can switch to new mortgage deals.
- You can access tailored support from your lender if you’re struggling with payments.
- Homes cannot be repossessed within 12 months of a first missed payment.
Find out if your lender has signed the Mortgage Charter.
Payment for carers
You could get £69.70 a week if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
Check if you’re eligible for the Carer’s Allowance
Cost of Living Payment
Households on means tested benefits, including Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Tax Credits, will receive an automatic extra payment in summer and autumn 2023.
Find out more about cost of living payments
Report a missed cost of living payment
Beware of texts asking you to claim or apply for cost of living help – payments are automatic. You don't need to apply or contact anyone to claim the payment, if you're eligible, you'll automatically receive the money straight into your bank account.
Worried you've been scammed?
Disability Cost of Living Payment
People who receive disability benefits will get a one-off £150 payment in September to help with extra costs, such as for specialist equipment or transport. This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment for disabled people who also receive means tested benefits.
Check if you’re eligible for the Disability Cost of Living Payment
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills. From November 2023 they will also receive an extra £150 or £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.
The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment) you will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on when you were born and your circumstances.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before 25 September 1957.
You will be sent a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get if you’re eligible.
Check if you’re eligible for the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
Social Tariffs for Broadband
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband.
They’re delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.
Ofcom lists all of the tariffs available on their website. You can apply for most tariffs online, or call your provider and ask to switch.
Check if your current provider offers a social tariff.
Protect yourself from cost of living scams
As the rising cost of living impacts us all, it is important to be aware of scammers looking to take advantage.
Here are some tips to help you be aware of suspicious activity:
- Reject, refuse or ignore contact from ‘Ofgem’ that looks or sounds unusual or asks for your bank or personal details
- Check the email address carefully, any emails to or from Ofgem always end @ofgem.gov.uk
- Check branding. The Ofgem logo will always be present in their communications. It should never look stretched, blurry or distorted
- Only criminals will try to rush or panic you
You can protect yourself with this quick three-step check:
- If you’re asked to pay an upfront fee, it could be a scam
- If you’re asked to pay quickly, it could be a scam
- If you’re asked to pay in an unusual way, such as vouchers or money transfer, or asked for your bank details, it could be a scam
Learn how to spot and avoid scams on the national Take Five website.
For consumer protection advice and guidance for Staffordshire businesses, you can visit our Trading Standards website.
Other things you can do to protect yourself.
- Protect your computer by using anti-virus and firewall software
- Protect your mobile phone by setting software to update automatically
- Protect your accounts by using multi factor authentication
Free budget planner
Knowing where every pound is being spent is a great first step to managing your finances or getting out of debt.
Use the free budget planner from Money Helper.
Help with Debt
If you’re struggling to keep up with bills and debt payments, help may be closer than you think. Lots of organisations offer free debt advice and will help you take back control of your finances.
If you can’t pay your bills don’t put off getting help. Ignoring bills and debts often makes things worse.
These organisations have debt advisers who can help:
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Citizens Advice offer free, confidential advice about dealing with debt, budgeting and managing on a low income. You can get advice by visiting their website or calling their debt helpline 0800 240 4420 calls are free from mobiles and landlines.
- Money Helper is the new name for the Money Advice service. They can give you free, confidential and impartial advice about banking, budgeting, paying bills, dealing with debt and pensions.
- StepChange is a debt charity who offer free, confidential, advice about managing debt. You can use their online debt advice service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year or call 0800 138 1111 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 8am to 4pm.
If you need help to legally manage the financial affairs of family member or friend who lacks mental capacity, you can find information and support on our managing finances and paperwork page.