{ "dataset": "support", "generated": "2026-08-27T16:32:45.446Z", "licence": { "compilation": "CC BY 4.0", "compilation_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "attribution": "Tariff Tracker, tarifftracker.io, published by PEF Consulting Partners Limited", "underlying": "The figures themselves belong to the bodies named in each dataset's sources. Most are Crown copyright under the Open Government Licence v3. Supplier tariff rates belong to the suppliers who publish them. Check the source terms before you rely on any of it commercially.", "corrections": "If a figure here is wrong, say so and we will correct it and record that we did." }, "docs": "https://tarifftracker.io/api/", "fields": "https://tarifftracker.io/api/v1/dictionary", "as_of": "2026-08-27", "groups": [ [ "gateway", "Start here", "The three things worth doing before anything else, because they open doors to everything below." ], [ "energy", "Gas and electricity", "The biggest bill, and the one with the most help behind it." ], [ "water", "Water", "You cannot switch water company, so the only help is your own company's." ], [ "counciltax", "Council tax and rates", "The fastest debt to escalate, and the one with the most discounts nobody claims." ], [ "broadband", "Broadband and mobile", "The most underclaimed thing on this page by a distance." ], [ "nhs", "NHS costs", "Prescriptions, dentistry, glasses and getting to hospital." ], [ "childcare", "Childcare", "Worth more than most benefits, and easy to claim the wrong one." ], [ "tvlicence", "TV licence", "Three concessions, and a payment plan if you are behind." ], [ "travel", "Getting about", "Rail and bus, and it differs sharply between the four nations." ], [ "debt", "If you are already behind", "What stops it getting worse, and what a supplier is not allowed to do to you." ] ], "situations": [ [ "benefits", "On a means tested benefit", "Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, income related ESA and the rest" ], [ "pension", "Pension age", "You or your partner have reached State Pension age" ], [ "disability", "Disabled or long term ill", "Including a condition that means you use more water, heat or electricity" ], [ "children", "Children at home", "Especially under 5, where extra protections apply" ], [ "carer", "A carer", "Caring for someone, paid or unpaid" ], [ "lowincome", "Low income, no benefits", "Working but struggling, or just above the benefit line" ], [ "arrears", "Behind on a bill", "In debt or arrears to a supplier, a council or a landlord" ], [ "prepay", "On a prepayment meter", "Topping up rather than paying by direct debit" ], [ "renting", "Renting", "Private or social tenancy" ], [ "student", "A student", "In full time education" ] ], "sources": [ { "name": "Every scheme names the pages it was checked against, in its own sources field", "url": null } ], "caveats": [ "Every figure on this page was checked against a government, regulator or scheme operator page on 27 August 2026.", "eligibility is the actual conditions, written so a person can tell whether they qualify. It is not a summary and it is not advice.", "The four nation fields are the point. A scheme that does not exist where somebody lives is worse than no scheme, so england, wales, scotland and northern_ireland each say yes, different, no or unknown, and different means it exists but under other rules.", "unverified lists what could not be checked against a primary source. Those figures are deliberately absent rather than estimated.", "changing flags rules that are confirmed but not yet in force. Anything built on this should carry that through.", "Amounts administered by councils have no national figure, and saying so is the honest answer rather than quoting one area's." ], "blanks": { "england": "Never blank. Where we do not know, the value is the string unknown rather than a null.", "nations_note": "The scheme works the same way everywhere it applies.", "apply_at": "No single official page covers it.", "deadline": "The scheme is open all year with no dated cut off.", "deadline_what": "There is no deadline.", "changing": "Nothing announced is due to change." }, "count": 35, "rows": [ { "id": "warm-home-discount", "name": "Warm Home Discount", "group": "energy", "amount": "£150", "amount_note": "taken off your electricity bill. The money is not paid to you.", "administered_by": "Set by government, applied by your electricity supplier", "status": "closed", "status_note": "Closed right now. It reopens in October 2026.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "Scotland runs a separate scheme with an application route, listed just below. Northern Ireland has no Warm Home Discount at all.", "eligibility": [ "You were getting Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or income related Employment and Support Allowance on 23 August 2026.", "Your name or your partner's name is on the electricity bill.", "Your supplier takes part in the scheme. The large suppliers all do." ], "how_to_claim": "In England and Wales you do not apply. Suppliers are told who qualifies and the discount appears on the bill. If you think you qualify and hear nothing by the time the scheme reopens, ring the Warm Home Discount helpline before contacting your supplier.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme", "deadline": "2026-08-23", "deadline_what": "The qualifying date for this winter has already passed. If you were on a qualifying benefit that day you are in, even if you claimed nothing since.", "worth_knowing": [ "The qualifying date was 23 August 2026, which has gone. Being on a benefit now but not then does not qualify you for this winter.", "It is a credit against your electricity account, so it does not help with gas or with anything else." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "benefits", "pension", "lowincome", "prepay" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Warm Home Discount Scheme, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme" }, { "name": "Eligibility statement, England and Wales, 2026 to 2027", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales-2026-to-2027-scheme-year/warm-home-discount-eligibility-statement-england-and-wales-2026-to-2027" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#warm-home-discount" }, { "id": "warm-home-discount-scotland", "name": "Warm Home Discount in Scotland", "group": "energy", "amount": "£150", "amount_note": "off your electricity bill", "administered_by": "Scottish Government rules, applied by your electricity supplier", "status": "closed", "status_note": "Closed right now. It reopens in October 2026.", "england": "no", "wales": "no", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "This is the Scottish scheme. England and Wales work differently and are covered separately.", "eligibility": [ "Core group, which is automatic: you or your partner get Pension Credit, or extra Universal Credit because of a disability or health condition, or a disability or pensioner premium with income related Employment and Support Allowance or a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.", "Broader group, which is not automatic: you get certain means tested benefits, your supplier is in the scheme, and your name or your partner's is on the electricity bill.", "Your supplier may add conditions of its own on top." ], "how_to_claim": "If you are in the core group it is applied for you. If you are in the broader group you must apply to your electricity supplier yourself once the scheme reopens in October. This is the single biggest difference from England and Wales and the reason Scottish households miss out.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/if-you-live-in-scotland", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "In England and Wales nobody applies. In Scotland a large group has to, and funding is limited, so applying late can mean missing out even when you qualify." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "benefits", "pension", "lowincome", "prepay" ], "sources": [ { "name": "If you live in Scotland, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/if-you-live-in-scotland" }, { "name": "Ofgem, Warm Home Discount eligibility", "url": "https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/warm-home-discount-whd/eligibility" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#warm-home-discount-scotland" }, { "id": "winter-fuel-payment", "name": "Winter Fuel Payment", "group": "energy", "amount": "£100 to £300", "amount_note": "depending on your age and who you live with", "administered_by": "Department for Work and Pensions", "status": "open", "status_note": "Qualifying week is 21 to 27 September 2026.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": "Scotland has its own Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead, covered separately.", "eligibility": [ "You were born on or before 27 June 1960.", "You live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026.", "You do not need to be on any benefit. This is the thing most sites still get wrong." ], "how_to_claim": "Almost nobody applies. A letter comes in October or November saying how much you will get, and payment lands in November or December 2026.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment", "deadline": "2026-09-21", "deadline_what": "Qualifying week runs 21 to 27 September 2026. Where you live and who you live with during that week decides what you get.", "worth_knowing": [ "If your own income is over £35,000 HMRC takes the payment back through the tax system. Your partner's income does not count towards that.", "You can opt out instead of having it clawed back.", "It is not gated on Pension Credit any more. Plenty of sites still say it is." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "pension" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Winter Fuel Payment, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment" }, { "name": "How much you will get, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-much-youll-get" }, { "name": "Winter Fuel Payment, nidirect", "url": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/winter-fuel-payment" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#winter-fuel-payment" }, { "id": "pension-age-winter-heating", "name": "Pension Age Winter Heating Payment", "group": "energy", "amount": "£105.55 to £316.70", "amount_note": "depending on your age and who you live with", "administered_by": "Social Security Scotland", "status": "open", "status_note": "Qualifying week is 21 to 27 September 2026.", "england": "no", "wales": "no", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "This replaced the Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland.", "eligibility": [ "You reached State Pension age by 27 September 2026, meaning born before 27 June 1960.", "You live in Scotland during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September 2026." ], "how_to_claim": "Most people get it automatically and letters go out from November 2026. A small number have to apply.", "apply_at": "https://www.mygov.scot/pension-age-winter-heating-payment", "deadline": "2026-10-19", "deadline_what": "Midday on 19 October 2026 is the deadline to opt out if you would rather not receive it.", "worth_knowing": [ "Same as the rest of the United Kingdom, income over £35,000 means HMRC takes it back.", "Around 879,000 Scottish pensioners qualify." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "pension" ], "sources": [ { "name": "How much you might be paid, mygov.scot", "url": "https://www.mygov.scot/pension-age-winter-heating-payment/how-much-you-might-be-paid" }, { "name": "Social Security Scotland, July 2026", "url": "https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/news/2026/07/pension-age-winter-heating-payment-jul-26" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#pension-age-winter-heating" }, { "id": "cold-weather-payment", "name": "Cold Weather Payment", "group": "energy", "amount": "£25", "amount_note": "for each seven day cold spell", "administered_by": "Department for Work and Pensions", "status": "seasonal", "status_note": "Paid only when the weather triggers it, so a mild winter can pay nothing.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": "Scotland replaced this with a single guaranteed Winter Heating Payment, covered separately.", "eligibility": [ "You get Pension Credit, income related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest.", "Each of those carries an extra condition, usually a child under 5, a disability or pensioner premium, or limited capability for work.", "The average temperature where you live is recorded or forecast at zero degrees or below for seven days running." ], "how_to_claim": "Automatic. There is nothing to apply for.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "It is triggered by your postcode's weather station, not by how cold your house is.", "In a mild winter it pays nothing at all, which is the whole reason Scotland moved to a fixed payment." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [ "The 2026 to 2027 season dates for England and Wales are not published. Northern Ireland has confirmed 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027. We are not assuming England and Wales match until gov.uk says so." ], "situations": [ "benefits", "pension", "disability", "children" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Cold Weather Payment, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment" }, { "name": "Cold Weather Payment, nidirect", "url": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/cold-weather-payment" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#cold-weather-payment" }, { "id": "winter-heating-payment", "name": "Winter Heating Payment", "group": "energy", "amount": "£62", "amount_note": "once a year, whatever the weather does", "administered_by": "Social Security Scotland", "status": "open", "status_note": "Paid from December.", "england": "no", "wales": "no", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "Scotland's replacement for the Cold Weather Payment.", "eligibility": [ "You get Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance or Support for Mortgage Interest.", "Each carries an extra condition such as a child under 5, a disability or severe disability premium, or the limited capability for work element." ], "how_to_claim": "Automatic. It shows on a bank statement as WHP.", "apply_at": "https://www.mygov.scot/winter-heating-payment", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "Unlike the Cold Weather Payment it does not depend on the temperature, so it pays every year.", "Scotland still counts Income Support and income based Jobseeker's Allowance, which gov.uk no longer lists for the Cold Weather Payment." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [ "The £62 figure is what mygov.scot describes as the next payment, on a page last updated in February 2026. The qualifying week for 2026 to 2027 is not yet published, so we are not stating one." ], "situations": [ "benefits", "disability", "children" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Winter Heating Payment, mygov.scot", "url": "https://www.mygov.scot/winter-heating-payment" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#winter-heating-payment" }, { "id": "priority-services-register", "name": "Priority Services Register", "group": "energy", "amount": "Free", "amount_note": "it is help rather than money, and it costs nothing", "administered_by": "Every energy supplier and every network operator, required by Ofgem", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year. You can join today.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "You have reached State Pension age.", "You are pregnant or have young children.", "You have a disability or a long term medical condition, including mental health conditions and anything needing medical equipment.", "You are recovering from an injury or a hospital stay, recently bereaved, or recently lost your job.", "You have difficulty with English.", "Temporary situations count. You do not have to be permanently in one of these groups." ], "how_to_claim": "Contact your energy supplier and your network operator. They keep separate registers, so joining one does not put you on the other. You can do it online, by phone or in writing.", "apply_at": "https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/join-your-suppliers-priority-services-register", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "It gives you no money and no discount. What it gives you is advance warning of power cuts, priority in an emergency, bills in large print or braille, a nominated person to deal with your account, help moving a prepayment meter you cannot safely reach, and free meter readings.", "Being on it also makes it far harder for a supplier to move you to a prepayment meter against your will." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "pension", "disability", "children", "prepay" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Priority Services Register, Ofgem", "url": "https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/join-your-suppliers-priority-services-register" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#priority-services-register" }, { "id": "british-gas-energy-trust", "name": "British Gas Energy Trust", "group": "energy", "amount": "A grant against energy debt", "amount_note": "paid to your energy account, not to you", "administered_by": "An independent charity funded by British Gas", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open now.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "England, Scotland and Wales only.", "eligibility": [ "You live in England, Scotland or Wales.", "Household income under £20,328, or you qualify through disability or carer benefits, or you have three or more children.", "You owe between £250 and £1,700 if you pay in arrears, or between £50 and £1,700 on a prepayment meter.", "You have had money advice from an agency, or used the Trust's own budgeting tool, in the last six months.", "You have not had a grant from the Trust in the last two years.", "The energy account is in your name at your address." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply online. You will need the money advice or the budgeting tool done first, so start there.", "apply_at": "https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "This is the one supplier fund open to customers of any energy supplier, not just British Gas. Most of the others are for their own customers only.", "The separate British Gas Energy Support Fund is closed." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [ "The Trust's own homepage says grants of up to £2,000 while its grants page gives an upper debt threshold of £1,700. We are not publishing a maximum award until the Trust resolves that." ], "situations": [ "arrears", "benefits", "lowincome", "prepay", "disability", "carer" ], "sources": [ { "name": "British Gas Energy Trust", "url": "https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#british-gas-energy-trust" }, { "id": "supplier-hardship-funds", "name": "Your own supplier's hardship fund", "group": "energy", "amount": "Varies", "amount_note": "usually a credit against energy debt, sometimes a replacement appliance", "administered_by": "Individual energy suppliers, several administered by Charis", "status": "open", "status_note": "EDF and E.ON Next funds are open now.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "unknown", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "You are a customer of that supplier. Unlike the British Gas Energy Trust, these are almost always closed to everyone else.", "You are in energy debt and cannot clear it.", "You have taken independent debt advice first. EDF and ScottishPower both require this before you apply." ], "how_to_claim": "Go to your own supplier's fund. EDF and E.ON Next both apply through Charis. ScottishPower applies through Sigma Connected. Octopus runs Octo Assist for its own customers.", "apply_at": "https://charisgrants.com/individuals/", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "Some funds also replace a broken fridge or cooker, not just clear debt.", "Several supplier funds have closed. Check the fund is open before spending time on an application." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [ "We are not publishing award limits for the EDF, E.ON Next, ScottishPower or Octopus funds because none of them publishes one we could verify.", "We found no official OVO page for a customer fund, so we make no claim about one." ], "situations": [ "arrears", "lowincome", "prepay" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Charis, funds open now", "url": "https://charisgrants.com/individuals/" }, { "name": "ScottishPower Hardship Fund", "url": "https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/support-centre/help-paying-your-bill/hardship-fund" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#supplier-hardship-funds" }, { "id": "fuel-direct", "name": "Fuel Direct, paying energy arrears from benefits", "group": "energy", "amount": "A fixed deduction", "amount_note": "taken from your benefit and paid to the supplier", "administered_by": "Department for Work and Pensions", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "You get Pension Credit, income related Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit.", "You are in arrears with gas or electricity." ], "how_to_claim": "Ask your energy supplier to request it. You cannot set it up directly with DWP yourself, though you can ask for it to be arranged.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-request-deductions-from-benefit-a-guide-for-creditors/third-party-deductions-from-benefits-a-guide-for-fuel-suppliers", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "On Universal Credit the arrears deduction is 5% of the standard allowance, and an extra amount for ongoing use can be added on top.", "Only three third party deductions can run at once.", "It stops disconnection and enforcement, but it is money coming out of a benefit that is already tight. Take debt advice before agreeing to it." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "arrears", "benefits" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Guide for fuel suppliers, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-request-deductions-from-benefit-a-guide-for-creditors/third-party-deductions-from-benefits-a-guide-for-fuel-suppliers" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#fuel-direct" }, { "id": "affordable-warmth-ni", "name": "Affordable Warmth Scheme", "group": "energy", "amount": "Up to £7,500", "amount_note": "up to £10,000 for a solid wall property", "administered_by": "Northern Ireland Housing Executive with councils", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open now.", "england": "no", "wales": "no", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": "Northern Ireland only.", "eligibility": [ "You live in Northern Ireland.", "You own and live in the property as your main home, or you rent from a private landlord.", "Total gross household income is under £23,000 a year.", "Social housing tenants, holiday homes and commercial properties do not qualify." ], "how_to_claim": "Through the NI Energy Advice Service on 0800 111 44 55. Eligibility is checked first, then a form with proof of ownership or tenancy, occupancy and income.", "apply_at": "https://www.nihe.gov.uk/housing-help/affordable-warmth/affordable-warmth-scheme", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "It pays for insulation, ventilation, heating replacement and windows rather than for your bill.", "Work is done in priority order, so you may not get everything you ask for." ], "changing": "The scheme ends in March 2028 and is being replaced by the Warm Healthy Homes Fund.", "unverified": [], "situations": [ "lowincome", "renting" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Affordable Warmth Scheme, NIHE", "url": "https://www.nihe.gov.uk/housing-help/affordable-warmth/affordable-warmth-scheme" }, { "name": "Warm Healthy Homes Fund, Communities NI", "url": "https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/publications/warm-healthy-homes-fund-replacing-affordable-warmth-scheme-ending-march-2028-screening" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#affordable-warmth-ni" }, { "id": "watersure", "name": "WaterSure", "group": "water", "amount": "Your bill capped", "amount_note": "at your own company's average household bill, so there is no single national figure", "administered_by": "Your water company, under a statutory scheme in England", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "different", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "Wales runs WaterSure Wales, with wider eligibility. Scotland and Northern Ireland do not have separate water bills, so the scheme does not apply.", "eligibility": [ "You are on a water meter, or you have applied for one and are waiting.", "Somebody in the household gets a qualifying benefit, which usually means Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit, though company lists differ.", "And either you get Child Benefit for three or more children under 19, or somebody in the household has a medical condition that means you use a lot of extra water.", "All three have to be true at once. Two out of three is not enough." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply direct to your own water company. There is no central application and no government form.", "apply_at": "https://www.ccw.org.uk/faq/what-is-watersure/", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "Qualifying conditions for extra water use include an abdominal stoma, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, flaky or weeping skin conditions, incontinence and home dialysis. The list is not closed and companies must consider others.", "WaterSure Wales already counts Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment, which England will not until 2027." ], "changing": "Reform comes into force in England in early 2027. It widens eligibility to people on Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance or Personal Independence Payment with household income under £25,745, caps single occupant bills at the average one person bill, and removes the need to pay for a doctor's note. None of that is in force yet.", "unverified": [ "There is no national cap figure to publish. Each company sets it at its own average bill, so the only accurate number is your own company's." ], "situations": [ "benefits", "disability", "children", "lowincome" ], "sources": [ { "name": "What is WaterSure, CCW", "url": "https://www.ccw.org.uk/faq/what-is-watersure/" }, { "name": "WaterSure reform, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/reduced-bills-for-around-300000-households-in-watersure-reform" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#watersure" }, { "id": "water-social-tariff", "name": "Your water company's social tariff", "group": "water", "amount": "Roughly 15% to 99% off", "amount_note": "the range across companies, and it varies enormously", "administered_by": "Each water company, on its own terms", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland do not bill households separately for water.", "eligibility": [ "You are on a low income. Thresholds run from roughly £17,000 to £30,000 depending on the company.", "Some companies test whether your water bill is more than a set share of your income rather than using a flat threshold.", "You cannot switch water company, so the only scheme available to you is your own company's." ], "how_to_claim": "Find your company, then go to its own help with your bill page and apply there. The schemes have different names: WaterHelp at Thames, the Big Difference Scheme at Severn Trent, WaterSupport at Yorkshire, Help to Pay and the Low Income Water Discount at United Utilities, HelpU at Welsh Water.", "apply_at": "https://www.ccw.org.uk/save-money-and-water/help-with-bills/", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "Companies are not legally required to offer one. Every company does, but it is a power rather than a duty, so the terms are theirs to set.", "Several have to be reapplied for every year, and people fall off them by forgetting.", "Roughly 3.8 million households are estimated to be missing a water discount they could have, which makes this one of the most underclaimed things on this page." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "lowincome", "benefits", "pension", "disability" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Help with bills, CCW", "url": "https://www.ccw.org.uk/save-money-and-water/help-with-bills/" }, { "name": "Water companies list, CCW", "url": "https://www.ccw.org.uk/advice-and-support/households/water-companies/" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#water-social-tariff" }, { "id": "water-direct", "name": "Water Direct", "group": "water", "amount": "A fixed deduction", "amount_note": "taken from your benefit and paid to the water company", "administered_by": "Department for Work and Pensions with your water company", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "You get Pension Credit, income related Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit.", "You are already in arrears with your water company." ], "how_to_claim": "You or your water company can ask for it. Several companies list it on their own support pages, so asking them is usually quicker.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-request-deductions-from-benefit-a-guide-for-creditors/third-party-deductions-from-benefits-a-guide-for-water-suppliers", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "It covers the arrears and an estimated amount for ongoing use, so the deduction is larger than the debt alone.", "A maximum of three deductions can run at once, and your consent is needed once total deductions pass a quarter of your benefit." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "arrears", "benefits" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Guide for water suppliers, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-request-deductions-from-benefit-a-guide-for-creditors/third-party-deductions-from-benefits-a-guide-for-water-suppliers" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#water-direct" }, { "id": "water-trusts", "name": "Water company charitable trusts", "group": "water", "amount": "A grant against water debt", "amount_note": "and in some cases other priority debts too", "administered_by": "Independent charities funded by the water companies", "status": "open", "status_note": "Varies by company.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "You live in that company's area.", "You cannot afford your water charges.", "Some trusts require arrears within a range and at least one other priority debt such as rent, council tax or energy." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply to the trust for your own area. Severn Trent Trust Fund and Yorkshire Water Community Trust both take applications directly. United Utilities and Thames run their own funds.", "apply_at": "https://www.ccw.org.uk/save-money-and-water/help-with-bills/", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "Not every company has one, so check yours rather than assuming.", "Some trusts will help with debts other than water, which makes them more useful than they first appear." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "arrears", "lowincome" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Severn Trent Trust Fund", "url": "https://www.sttf.org.uk/" }, { "name": "Yorkshire Water, help paying your bill", "url": "https://www.yorkshirewater.com/bill-account/help-paying-your-bill/" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#water-trusts" }, { "id": "scotland-water-reduction", "name": "Scottish water charge reduction", "group": "water", "amount": "Up to 35% off", "amount_note": "your water and waste water charges", "administered_by": "Scottish Water, applied by your council", "status": "open", "status_note": "Applied automatically with Council Tax Reduction.", "england": "no", "wales": "no", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "Scotland only. There is no separate water bill; charges come with your council tax.", "eligibility": [ "You get Council Tax Reduction. Full entitlement gets the full 35%.", "A council tax exemption carries across to water and waste water too.", "The single person discount and the disabled band reduction both apply to water charges as well." ], "how_to_claim": "Nothing to apply for separately. It follows your Council Tax Reduction automatically.", "apply_at": "https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/your-home/your-charges/your-charges-2026-2027/unmetered-charges-2026-2027", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "The 35% is a total ceiling, not an extra. If you already get the 25% single person discount on your water charges, the most you can get on top is a further 10%.", "Charges are set by council tax band, from £434.88 at band A to £1,304.64 at band H for 2026 to 2027." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "benefits", "lowincome", "pension", "disability" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Scottish Water unmetered charges 2026 to 2027", "url": "https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/your-home/your-charges/your-charges-2026-2027/unmetered-charges-2026-2027" }, { "name": "Water charges and exemptions, gov.scot", "url": "https://www.gov.scot/policies/water/water-charges-and-exemptions/" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#scotland-water-reduction" }, { "id": "council-tax-reduction", "name": "Council Tax Reduction", "group": "counciltax", "amount": "Up to 100% off", "amount_note": "your council tax bill", "administered_by": "Your council in England, the Scottish Government in Scotland, the Welsh Government in Wales", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "different", "nations_note": "Northern Ireland has no council tax. Rates relief and Rate Rebate do the same job there.", "eligibility": [ "You are on a low income or on benefits, whether you rent or own.", "In England, whether you get anything and how much depends on the scheme your own council has written. There is no national rule for working age claimants.", "In Scotland and Wales it is a national scheme, so the rules do not change when you cross a council boundary.", "Pension age claimants in England are protected by national rules, so their treatment is broadly the same everywhere." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply to your council. Every council has its own form.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "In England there is no national maximum, no national income threshold and no national taper. Two identical households in neighbouring boroughs can get very different answers, and the only way to know is to read your own council's published scheme.", "Most English councils now run a minimum payment, meaning everyone pays something however low their income.", "This is the second most underclaimed thing in the country after Universal Credit, with roughly 2.6 million households estimated to be missing it." ], "changing": "From 2027 to 2028 the government has confirmed that the window before your whole annual bill falls due extends to 63 days, enforcement costs on a liability order are capped at £100, and billing moves to 12 instalments by default. None of that is in force yet.", "unverified": [], "situations": [ "benefits", "lowincome", "pension", "disability", "renting" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Apply for Council Tax Reduction, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction" }, { "name": "Council tax information letter 1/2026", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax-information-letter-12026-local-council-tax-support-schemes-for-2026-27/council-tax-information-letter-12026-local-council-tax-support-schemes-for-2026-27" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#council-tax-reduction" }, { "id": "smi-disregard", "name": "Severe mental impairment disregard", "group": "counciltax", "amount": "25%, 50% or the whole bill", "amount_note": "depending on who else lives there", "administered_by": "Your council", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year, and it can be backdated.", "england": "yes", "wales": "different", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "Wales replaced this in April 2026 with a significant cognitive impairment discount, with its own definition and its own benefit list.", "eligibility": [ "A doctor certifies severe impairment of intelligence and social functioning that appears to be permanent. Dementia, a stroke, Parkinson's and a severe learning disability can all qualify.", "And the person gets a qualifying benefit, which includes Attendance Allowance, the middle or higher rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment at either daily living rate, income related Employment and Support Allowance, or Universal Credit with limited capability for work.", "Both conditions have to be met. The certificate alone is not enough." ], "how_to_claim": "Ask your council for its form. You will need the GP or consultant to sign part of it.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "The person is disregarded, meaning ignored when the council counts adults. If they live alone, or only with others who also qualify, the result is no council tax at all rather than a discount.", "There is no time limit in law on backdating it. Some councils have backdated to 1993. Others try to limit it to six years. It is worth pushing back if you are refused.", "It is widely underclaimed, largely because families do not know it exists and nobody tells them." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [ "We could not find a credible official or charity estimate of how many households are missing this, so we are not publishing a number for it." ], "situations": [ "disability", "carer", "pension" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Who has to pay, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay" }, { "name": "Council tax discounts, Alzheimer's Society", "url": "https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/legal-financial/discounts-disregards-exemptions-council-tax" }, { "name": "Significant cognitive impairment, Welsh Government form", "url": "https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2026-02/significant-cognitive-impairment-council-tax-reduction-application-form.pdf" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#smi-disregard" }, { "id": "disabled-band-reduction", "name": "Disabled band reduction", "group": "counciltax", "amount": "One band lower", "amount_note": "or 17% off if you are already in band A", "administered_by": "Your council", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "different", "nations_note": "Northern Ireland gives a flat 25% off rates instead through the Disabled Person's Allowance.", "eligibility": [ "A disabled person, adult or child, has the property as their main home.", "And the property has either an extra bathroom, kitchen or other room needed by that person, or extra space inside for using a wheelchair.", "You do not have to be on any benefit for this one." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply to your council. Expect them to want to visit or see evidence of the adaptation.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "It is about the property, not about the benefit you are on, which is why so many eligible households never think to ask.", "In Scotland it reduces your water and waste water charges as well." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "disability" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Discounts for disabled people, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-disabled-people" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#disabled-band-reduction" }, { "id": "council-tax-disregards", "name": "Single person discount and other disregards", "group": "counciltax", "amount": "25% or 50% off", "amount_note": "or the whole bill in an all student household", "administered_by": "Your council", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "25% off if you live alone, or if everyone else living there is disregarded.", "50% off if everyone in the household is disregarded.", "People disregarded include: under 18s; 18 and 19 year olds in full time education; full time students; student nurses; apprentices on certain schemes; live in carers looking after somebody who is not their partner or child; people who are severely mentally impaired; and diplomats.", "A household where everyone is a full time student pays nothing at all." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply to your council. None of these are applied automatically, even where the council could work it out.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "You have to ask. Gov.uk says so plainly, and it is the reason people overpay for years.", "A full time course means at least a year and at least 21 hours a week, or at least three months and 12 hours a week for under 20s studying up to A level.", "Care leavers get a national exemption in Wales up to 25 and in Scotland up to 26. In England there is no national scheme and it is down to your own council, so ask anyway." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "student", "carer", "lowincome", "disability" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Who has to pay, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/who-has-to-pay" }, { "name": "Discounts for full time students, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#council-tax-disregards" }, { "id": "ni-rates-support", "name": "Rates support in Northern Ireland", "group": "counciltax", "amount": "Varies", "amount_note": "Lone Pensioner Allowance is 20% off, Disabled Person's Allowance is 25% off", "administered_by": "Land and Property Services and the Housing Executive", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "no", "wales": "no", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": "Northern Ireland only. There is no council tax there.", "eligibility": [ "Housing Benefit and Rate Relief: for people on a low income, with savings and capital under £50,000. You cannot claim it if you get Universal Credit.", "Rate Rebate: this is the route if you are on Universal Credit. You must claim it through an online Rate Rebate account.", "Lone Pensioner Allowance: 20% off if you are 70 or over and live alone. Living with a carer, a dependant under 18 or a person with severe mental impairment still counts as living alone.", "Disabled Person's Allowance: 25% off where a disabled person lives there and the property has been adapted, for example an extra bathroom or wheelchair access." ], "how_to_claim": "Homeowners apply to Land and Property Services. Tenants apply through the Housing Executive. Rate Rebate has its own online account.", "apply_at": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/help-paying-your-rates/rates-housing-benefit-and-rate-relief", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "Rate Rebate can only be backdated three months, so claim as soon as your Universal Credit is awarded.", "Getting the wrong scheme is the most common mistake. Universal Credit means Rate Rebate, not Housing Benefit and Rate Relief." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "benefits", "lowincome", "pension", "disability", "renting" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Rates, Housing Benefit and Rate Relief, nidirect", "url": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/information-and-services/help-paying-your-rates/rates-housing-benefit-and-rate-relief" }, { "name": "Rate Rebate scheme, nidirect", "url": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/rate-rebate-scheme" }, { "name": "Lone Pensioner Allowance, nidirect", "url": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/lone-pensioner-allowance" }, { "name": "Disabled Person's Allowance, nidirect", "url": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/disabled-persons-allowance" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#ni-rates-support" }, { "id": "broadband-social-tariff", "name": "Broadband and mobile social tariffs", "group": "broadband", "amount": "From £12 a month", "amount_note": "for broadband, and from £10 a month for mobile", "administered_by": "Broadband and mobile providers, listed by Ofcom", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year. You can switch today.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": "The rules are the same everywhere. What differs is which providers serve your address.", "eligibility": [ "You or somebody in your household claims Universal Credit. That alone qualifies you for any tariff on Ofcom's list.", "All the major providers also accept Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support.", "The person receiving the benefit has to be the main name on the contract." ], "how_to_claim": "Check Ofcom's list, find one available at your address, and ask that provider to move you. You do not have to wait for your contract to end.", "apply_at": "https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs/", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "It costs nothing to leave your current deal to take one. Ofcom is explicit: you will not pay an exit fee to switch to a social tariff.", "The price does not go up mid contract, so the annual April rise does not apply.", "This is the single most underclaimed thing on this page. Ofcom put take up at under 9% of eligible households, and found 70% of eligible households had never heard of them.", "Providers are not required to tell you these exist. Ofcom presses them to, but it is not a rule, so nobody may ever mention it to you." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "benefits", "lowincome", "pension", "disability" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Social tariffs, Ofcom", "url": "https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs/" }, { "name": "Ofcom pricing and consumer engagement report, February 2026", "url": "https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/research-and-data/multi-sector/pricing/2025/pricing-and-consumer-engagement-report.pdf" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#broadband-social-tariff" }, { "id": "tv-licence-help", "name": "TV licence concessions", "group": "tvlicence", "amount": "Free, £90 or £7.50", "amount_note": "against a standard fee of £180", "administered_by": "TV Licensing", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "Free: you are 75 or over AND you or your partner at the same address get Pension Credit. Age alone is not enough, and this is the part people get wrong.", "Half price, £90: you are blind or severely sight impaired. You will need proof of registration.", "£7.50: you live in a residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation.", "You can apply for the free licence at 74 so it starts the day you turn 75." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply to TV Licensing directly.", "apply_at": "https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/reducedfee", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "If you are struggling to pay, the Simple Payment Plan spreads the fee fortnightly or monthly, and a missed payment is spread across the rest of the year rather than doubling up next time. Miss three months in a row and you come off it.", "You can get a refund if you have at least one whole month left and will not need the licence. Blind concession holders can claim a refund for any length of time left." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "pension", "disability", "lowincome", "benefits" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Reduced fee licences, TV Licensing", "url": "https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/reducedfee" }, { "name": "TV licence fee 2026 to 2027, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cost-of-tv-licence-fee-set-for-202627" }, { "name": "Simple Payment Plan, TV Licensing", "url": "https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ305" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#tv-licence-help" }, { "id": "free-prescriptions", "name": "Free prescriptions and help with NHS costs", "group": "nhs", "amount": "£9.90 an item", "amount_note": "in England. Free everywhere else in the United Kingdom.", "administered_by": "NHS Business Services Authority", "status": "open", "status_note": "The charge is frozen at £9.90 for 2026 to 2027.", "england": "yes", "wales": "no", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Only England charges, so this section is about England.", "eligibility": [ "Free automatically if you are under 16, aged 16 to 18 in full time education, or 60 or over.", "Free on Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Savings Credit on its own does not count.", "Free on Universal Credit if your take home pay in the last assessment period was £435 or less, or £935 or less where your award includes a child element or you had limited capability for work.", "Free with a medical exemption certificate for conditions including cancer, diabetes needing more than diet alone, epilepsy needing continuous treatment, an underactive thyroid, and a physical disability that stops you going out without help.", "Free with a maternity exemption certificate if you are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months.", "Free with an HC2 certificate from the NHS Low Income Scheme." ], "how_to_claim": "Automatic exemptions need nothing. Medical and maternity certificates come through your GP, midwife or health visitor. The Low Income Scheme uses form HC1.", "apply_at": "https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "If you pay for more than about 11 items a year, a prepayment certificate is cheaper: £32.05 for three months or £114.50 for twelve, payable by instalments.", "There is a separate HRT prepayment certificate at £19.80 covering a year of eligible items, which is the price of two prescriptions.", "New Style Jobseeker's Allowance and New Style Employment and Support Allowance do not give free prescriptions.", "Claiming an exemption you are not entitled to carries a penalty charge, so check rather than guess." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "benefits", "lowincome", "pension", "disability", "children" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Free NHS prescriptions, NHSBSA", "url": "https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/free-nhs-prescriptions" }, { "name": "Prescription charges frozen, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-freezes-charges-to-keep-prescriptions-under-a-tenner" }, { "name": "Prescription prepayment certificate, NHSBSA", "url": "https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/nhs-prescription-prepayment-certificate-ppc" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#free-prescriptions" }, { "id": "nhs-low-income-scheme", "name": "NHS Low Income Scheme", "group": "nhs", "amount": "Full or partial help", "amount_note": "with prescriptions, dentistry, sight tests, glasses and travel to hospital", "administered_by": "NHS Business Services Authority", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": "Northern Ireland runs HC2 and HC3 too, though certificates there last 12 months rather than up to five years.", "eligibility": [ "You are on a low income but not on a qualifying benefit. If you already get one of those you have full help automatically and do not need to apply.", "Savings and investments are £16,000 or less, or £23,250 if you live permanently in a care home, or £24,000 in Wales.", "Property you do not live in, ISAs, Premium Bonds and cryptoassets all count as capital." ], "how_to_claim": "Fill in form HC1 with proof of income, savings and housing costs. You cannot apply online if you have over £6,000 in savings, or from Northern Ireland.", "apply_at": "https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "HC2 is full help. HC3 is partial and tells you how much you still pay towards each thing.", "It covers travel costs to hospital appointments, which people rarely realise and which can be the biggest cost of all.", "Certificates last between six months and five years depending on your circumstances." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "lowincome", "student", "pension", "disability" ], "sources": [ { "name": "NHS Low Income Scheme", "url": "https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-low-income-scheme" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#nhs-low-income-scheme" }, { "id": "funded-childcare", "name": "Funded childcare hours", "group": "childcare", "amount": "Up to 30 hours a week", "amount_note": "for 38 weeks of the year in England", "administered_by": "Department for Education and your local authority", "status": "open", "status_note": "Fully rolled out. 2026 to 2027 is the first complete year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "different", "scotland": "different", "northern_ireland": "different", "nations_note": "Every nation does this differently. Scotland gives 1,140 hours a year with no work test. Wales runs a Childcare Offer for 3 and 4 year olds with a work test. Northern Ireland runs funded pre school education, which it is careful to say is not childcare.", "eligibility": [ "England, working parents: 30 hours a week for 38 weeks, for children from 9 months to 4 years. Each parent must expect to earn at least £2,643.68 over three months if 21 or over, £2,256.80 if 18 to 20, or £1,664 if under 18 or an apprentice.", "Neither parent may expect adjusted net income over £100,000.", "England, everyone: 15 hours a week for 38 weeks for every 3 and 4 year old, with no work test at all, from the term after their third birthday.", "England, 2 year olds: 15 hours a week if you get Universal Credit with household income of £15,400 a year or less after tax, or Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit Guarantee Credit. Also if the child has an Education, Health and Care plan, gets Disability Living Allowance, or is looked after by a council." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply through the government childcare service, now at Best Start in Life. You get a code to give your provider.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "In a couple each parent has to meet the earnings floor independently.", "Funding does not cover meals, nappies, trips or extra hours, and providers can charge separately for all of them.", "The 15 hours for 2 year olds on benefits is separate from the working parent offer and is missed constantly.", "Childcare Choices has been replaced by Best Start in Life, so old links may not work." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [ "We could not confirm the hours per week for the Wales Childcare Offer from a Welsh Government page, so we are not stating a figure for Wales." ], "situations": [ "children", "lowincome", "benefits" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Free childcare if you are working, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/check-youre-eligible" }, { "name": "15 hours for 2 year olds, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds-extra-support" }, { "name": "Funded early learning and childcare, mygov.scot", "url": "https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#funded-childcare" }, { "id": "childcare-money", "name": "Tax Free Childcare and the Universal Credit childcare element", "group": "childcare", "amount": "Up to £2,000 or £1,836 a month", "amount_note": "depending which one you use", "administered_by": "HMRC and the Department for Work and Pensions", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "Tax Free Childcare: for every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2, up to £500 every three months per child, so £2,000 a year. That doubles to £4,000 a year for a disabled child.", "Children qualify up to 11, or 16 if disabled.", "Universal Credit childcare element: covers up to 85% of your childcare costs if you are working, to a maximum of £1,071.09 a month for one child or £1,836.16 for two or more." ], "how_to_claim": "Tax Free Childcare is an online account with HMRC. The Universal Credit element is claimed through your Universal Credit account, and you usually have to pay first and claim back.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "You cannot have Tax Free Childcare and Universal Credit at the same time. Opening a Tax Free Childcare account stops your Universal Credit, so work out which is worth more first.", "Money must go to a registered provider, which includes childminders, nurseries, nannies, after school clubs and holiday schemes.", "In Northern Ireland the Childcare Subsidy Scheme adds 15% off for eligible working parents, but only if you claim Tax Free Childcare, and Universal Credit claimants are excluded." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "children", "lowincome", "benefits" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Tax Free Childcare, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare" }, { "name": "Universal Credit, what you will get, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get" }, { "name": "Help paying for approved childcare, nidirect", "url": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-paying-approved-childcare" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#childcare-money" }, { "id": "travel-help", "name": "Cheaper travel", "group": "travel", "amount": "A third to a half off", "amount_note": "rail, and free bus travel for some groups", "administered_by": "Rail Delivery Group, Jobcentre Plus and the four nations' transport bodies", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": "Bus travel differs sharply. England uses State Pension age, Scotland and Wales use 60, Northern Ireland uses 60 and adds all Ireland travel at 65.", "eligibility": [ "Disabled Persons Railcard: a third off for you and one adult companion travelling with you, any time. £20 for a year or £54 for three.", "Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card: half off selected rail fares. For people on Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit, for 3 to 9 months if you are 18 to 24, or 3 to 12 months if over 25. Ask your work coach.", "16 to 17 Saver: half price on almost everything including season tickets, £35 a year.", "Free bus travel: from State Pension age in England, from 60 in Scotland and Wales, from 60 in Northern Ireland. Scotland also gives free bus travel to everyone under 22." ], "how_to_claim": "Railcards are bought online. The Jobcentre Plus card is issued by your work coach rather than bought. Bus passes come from your council or transport body.", "apply_at": "https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/railcards/concessionary-travel/", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "The companion on a Disabled Persons Railcard also gets a third off, which effectively halves the cost of travelling with someone.", "In England a disabled person's bus pass is generally only valid from 9.30am on weekdays until April 2027.", "A 16 to 17 Saver bought from 17 August 2026 runs a full year even if you turn 18 during it. Bought before that date, it stopped at your birthday.", "Jobcentre Plus can also cover travel to interviews and training from the Flexible Support Fund, which is separate and worth asking about." ], "changing": "From 1 April 2027 the time restrictions on disabled person bus passes in England are being removed, giving free travel all day every day. Until then the 9.30am weekday restriction still applies unless your council has already lifted it.", "unverified": [], "situations": [ "disability", "benefits", "pension", "lowincome" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Disabled Persons Railcard", "url": "https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/" }, { "name": "Concessionary travel, National Rail", "url": "https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/railcards/concessionary-travel/" }, { "name": "Free bus travel to become 24/7, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/free-bus-travel-247-for-disabled-people-as-prime-minister-takes-further-action-to-ease-cost-of-living" }, { "name": "Concessionary travel, Transport Scotland", "url": "https://www.transport.gov.scot/concessionary-travel/" }, { "name": "Free and concessionary travel, nidirect", "url": "https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/free-and-concessionary-bus-and-rail-travel" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#travel-help" }, { "id": "pension-credit", "name": "Pension Credit", "group": "gateway", "amount": "Tops you up to £238 a week", "amount_note": "single, or £363.25 for a couple, for 2026 to 2027", "administered_by": "Department for Work and Pensions", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year, and it can be backdated three months.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "You are over State Pension age.", "Your weekly income is below £238 single or £363.25 as a couple. Pension Credit tops you up to that line.", "You can still qualify with savings, other income, or if you own your home.", "There are extra amounts on top: £86.05 a week for severe disability, £48.15 for a carer, and amounts for children." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply online, or ring 0800 99 1234, or post it Freepost. You can start four months before you reach State Pension age.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "This is the most valuable thing on the whole page, because of what comes with it rather than the money itself. Pension Credit opens the door to Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, the Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments, a free TV licence at 75, help with NHS dental costs, glasses and hospital travel, and Support for Mortgage Interest.", "Even £1 a week of Pension Credit unlocks the lot. That is why it is worth claiming for a small amount.", "Up to 910,000 families who qualify are not claiming it, leaving up to £2.5 billion unclaimed and an average of around £2,600 a year each. Those are DWP's own figures for the year to March 2024, published in October 2025.", "Savings Credit is only open to people who reached State Pension age before April 2016." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "pension", "lowincome", "disability", "carer" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Pension Credit, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit" }, { "name": "Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027, DWP", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/benefit-and-pension-rates-2026-to-2027" }, { "name": "Income related benefits, estimates of take up, DWP", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-ending-2024/income-related-benefits-estimates-of-take-up-financial-year-ending-2024" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#pension-credit" }, { "id": "crisis-resilience-fund", "name": "Crisis and Resilience Fund", "group": "gateway", "amount": "Varies by council", "amount_note": "crisis payments and housing payments, set locally", "administered_by": "Your council, funded by government", "status": "open", "status_note": "Live since 1 April 2026, running to 31 March 2029.", "england": "yes", "wales": "no", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "England only. Scotland has the Scottish Welfare Fund and Wales has the Discretionary Assistance Fund.", "eligibility": [ "You are a low income household that has hit a financial shock.", "Crisis payments are not limited to people on benefits. Councils set their own definition of low income.", "Housing payments do require entitlement to Housing Benefit or Universal Credit." ], "how_to_claim": "Apply to your own council. Every council in England has to run a scheme that accepts applications all year round, with at least two ways to apply, so online, by phone or in person.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029/the-crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "This replaced the Household Support Fund on 1 April 2026 and absorbed Discretionary Housing Payments into the same grant. If you are looking for the Household Support Fund, this is where it went.", "£1 billion across the three years. What you can actually get is entirely down to your own council.", "Because councils decide the rules, being refused in one area does not mean you would be refused in another, and it does not mean you were wrong to ask." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "lowincome", "benefits", "arrears", "renting", "children" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Crisis and Resilience Fund guidance, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029/the-crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance-for-local-authorities-in-england-1-april-2026-to-31-march-2029" }, { "name": "£1 billion resilience fund, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/1-billion-resilience-fund-and-next-step-towards-removal-of-two-child-limit-provide-safety-net-for-families" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#crisis-resilience-fund" }, { "id": "breathing-space", "name": "Breathing Space", "group": "debt", "amount": "60 days of protection", "amount_note": "or as long as mental health crisis treatment lasts, plus 30 days", "administered_by": "The Insolvency Service, applied for by a debt adviser", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "different", "northern_ireland": "no", "nations_note": "Scotland has a six month statutory moratorium instead. Northern Ireland has nothing equivalent yet.", "eligibility": [ "You have debts you cannot pay.", "You do not already have a Debt Relief Order, an Individual Voluntary Arrangement or an interim order, and you are not an undischarged bankrupt.", "You have not had a standard breathing space in the last 12 months. That restriction does not apply to the mental health crisis route." ], "how_to_claim": "You cannot apply yourself. A debt adviser applies for you, and you can find a free one through MoneyHelper. For the mental health route an approved mental health professional certifies it, and a carer or advocate can start it off.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/breathing-space", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "It covers energy arrears and council tax arrears, which are the two that escalate fastest.", "It freezes interest, charges and enforcement, and stops creditors contacting you about enforcement. It does not write anything off.", "You must keep paying ongoing bills during it. It is not a payment holiday.", "Court fines, child maintenance, student loans and Universal Credit advances are not covered." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "arrears", "lowincome", "benefits", "disability" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Breathing Space, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/breathing-space" }, { "name": "Debt Respite Scheme guidance, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/debt-respite-scheme-breathing-space-guidance/debt-respite-scheme-breathing-space-guidance-for-creditors" }, { "name": "Apply for a moratorium, mygov.scot", "url": "https://www.mygov.scot/apply-for-a-moratorium" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#breathing-space" }, { "id": "debt-relief-order", "name": "Debt Relief Order", "group": "debt", "amount": "Debts written off after 12 months", "amount_note": "and it costs nothing to apply", "administered_by": "The Insolvency Service, applied for through an approved debt adviser", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "no", "northern_ireland": "different", "nations_note": "Scotland has different debt solutions. Northern Ireland has Debt Relief Orders but sets its own limits.", "eligibility": [ "Your debts total less than £50,000.", "Your assets are worth less than £2,000, and any vehicle is worth less than £4,000.", "You have less than £75 a month left after essential living costs.", "You have lived or worked in England or Wales in the last three years." ], "how_to_claim": "Through an approved debt adviser. You cannot apply directly. Find one free through MoneyHelper.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/debt-relief-orders", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "The £90 fee was abolished on 6 April 2024. If a site tells you there is a fee, it is out of date.", "It lasts 12 months, after which the debts covered are written off.", "It affects your credit file, so take advice on whether it is the right route rather than assuming." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [ "Northern Ireland sets its own debt, asset and vehicle limits and does not publish them on nidirect, so we are not repeating the England and Wales figures for Northern Ireland." ], "situations": [ "arrears", "lowincome", "benefits" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Debt Relief Orders, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/options-for-paying-off-your-debts/debt-relief-orders" }, { "name": "Insolvency Service review, July 2026", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/news/insolvency-service-review-confirms-reforms-have-widened-important-access-to-debt-relief" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#debt-relief-order" }, { "id": "free-debt-advice", "name": "Free debt advice", "group": "debt", "amount": "Free", "amount_note": "and it is the route into several things on this page", "administered_by": "Charities and government funded services", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "Anybody can use it. There is no income test and no eligibility to fail.", "You do not have to be in crisis. Being worried is reason enough." ], "how_to_claim": "National Debtline on 0808 808 4000, StepChange on 0800 138 1111, or Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848 in England, 0800 702 2020 in Wales, 0800 028 1456 in Scotland. Advice NI covers Northern Ireland. MoneyHelper, which is government backed, has a locator for face to face help near you.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "Several things on this page need it first. Breathing Space and a Debt Relief Order can only be applied for by an adviser, and the British Gas Energy Trust and EDF funds require advice before you apply.", "Gov.uk's own list mixes charities with commercial firms funded by creditor contributions. National Debtline, StepChange, Citizens Advice and Community Money Advice are charities. The advice is free either way, but it is worth knowing the difference.", "Never pay anyone for debt advice. Everything a fee charging firm can do, one of these can do for nothing." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "arrears", "lowincome", "benefits", "prepay" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Get help with debt, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/debt-advice" }, { "name": "Debt advice locator, MoneyHelper", "url": "https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en/money-troubles/dealing-with-debt/debt-advice-locator" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#free-debt-advice" }, { "id": "disconnection-protection", "name": "What your energy supplier cannot do to you", "group": "debt", "amount": "Protection, not money", "amount_note": "rules your supplier has to follow", "administered_by": "Ofgem, through the supply licence", "status": "open", "status_note": "In force now.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "different", "nations_note": "Northern Ireland's energy market is regulated by the Utility Regulator rather than Ofgem, so these specific rules do not apply there.", "eligibility": [ "A prepayment meter must never be forced on you if somebody needs a continuous supply for health reasons, if somebody is 75 or over with no other support in the household, or if there are children under 2.", "Nor if nobody in the household is physically or mentally able to top the meter up.", "Extra assessment is required first where there are children under 5, serious medical conditions, serious mental health conditions, or temporary circumstances like pregnancy or bereavement.", "Before any forced installation your supplier must make at least ten attempts to contact you, visit to check for vulnerability, wear a body worn camera, and leave £30 of credit on each meter." ], "how_to_claim": "If a supplier is pushing you towards a prepayment meter and any of this applies, say so in writing and join the Priority Services Register. If they proceed anyway, complain, then take it to the Energy Ombudsman.", "apply_at": "https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/prepayment-meters-consumer-guidance", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "Prepayment must be a last resort, only after the supplier has genuinely tried to agree a payment arrangement.", "Suppliers must set repayment rates based on what you can actually afford, not on what clears the debt fastest.", "The same protections apply to a smart meter being switched to prepayment mode remotely, which is easy to miss because nobody comes to the door." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [ "There is a long standing rule preventing disconnection of pension age households over the winter. We could not extract the exact licence wording from Ofgem to state the precise dates, so we describe the protection without quoting a date range." ], "situations": [ "arrears", "prepay", "disability", "pension", "children" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Prepayment meters consumer guidance, Ofgem", "url": "https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/prepayment-meters-consumer-guidance" }, { "name": "Involuntary prepayment meter code of practice, Ofgem", "url": "https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/guidance/involuntary-prepayment-meter-energy-supplier-code-practice" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#disconnection-protection" }, { "id": "benefit-check", "name": "Checking what you are entitled to", "group": "gateway", "amount": "Free", "amount_note": "and worth an hour of anybody's time", "administered_by": "Three calculators listed by gov.uk", "status": "open", "status_note": "Open all year.", "england": "yes", "wales": "yes", "scotland": "yes", "northern_ireland": "yes", "nations_note": null, "eligibility": [ "Anybody can use them. They cover income related benefits, contribution based benefits, Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction and Carer's Allowance.", "They will not give you an accurate answer if you are under 18, a student, a prisoner, on strike, living outside the United Kingdom, in permanent residential care, or not a British or Irish citizen. Gov.uk says so itself." ], "how_to_claim": "Gov.uk lists three: entitledto, Turn2us and Policy in Practice. Run more than one, because they do not always agree.", "apply_at": "https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators", "deadline": null, "deadline_what": null, "worth_knowing": [ "There is no single official service that tells you everything you are entitled to. Gov.uk does not run a full calculator of its own, and its own screening tool says outright that it does not include all the ways you can get help.", "No calculator can tell you what your own council's Council Tax Reduction scheme will give you in England, because every council writes its own.", "None of them cover your water company's social tariff, your energy supplier's hardship fund or your council's crisis scheme, so check those separately.", "Policy in Practice put unclaimed support at £24.1 billion a year across more than 7.5 million households in September 2025. That is not an official figure, but it is the most credible estimate there is." ], "changing": null, "unverified": [], "situations": [ "lowincome", "benefits", "pension", "disability", "carer", "children", "renting", "arrears" ], "sources": [ { "name": "Benefits calculators, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators" }, { "name": "Check what benefits you can get, gov.uk", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support" }, { "name": "Missing Out 2025, Policy in Practice", "url": "https://policyinpractice.co.uk/publication/missing-out-2025/" } ], "page": "https://tarifftracker.io/help/#benefit-check" } ] }