Cost of living support
Support is available to help with increased energy bills and the rising cost of living.
Support with your bills
On 25 August 2023, the government published details of who will continue to receive its Energy Price Guarantee discount as of 1 October 2023, and how the discount will be provided – go to GOV.UK: energy price guarantee.
For council tax discounts and support, go to:
Money Helper gives independent advice and guidance on money matters – for more debt and money advice, go to our help with money section.
You can find details of other support at:
- GOV.UK: Help for households – energy bills
- GOV.UK: Cost of living support – select 'Support with your bills'
- TV Licensing: Simple Payment Plan
Support with your income
You can get Universal Credit payments and other financial support from the government if you're eligible – go to GOV.UK: Check benefits and financial support you can get.
Find out about:
- housing benefit
- local council tax support
- discretionary housing payment
- essential living fund
- foster carer payments and allowances
You can find details of other support at:
- GOV.UK: Help for households – income support
- GOV.UK: Cost of living support – select 'Support with your income'
Healthy Start is a NHS scheme offering help to buy healthy food and milk. You may be able to get help if you receive income-related benefits and are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years-old. If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant and under 18 years-old, you don't need to be receiving benefits – go to NHS: Healthy Start.
Support if you're disabled
Find out about:
- personal independence payment
- help with equipment and home adaptations
- bus pass for disabled or older people
You can find details of other support at:
- GOV.UK: Cost of living support – select 'Support if you're disabled'
Support with childcare costs
Find out whether you are eligible for:
You can find details of other support at:
- GOV.UK: Help for households – childcare costs
- GOV.UK: Cost of living support – select 'Support with childcare costs'
Support with housing
Find out about:
- finding somewhere to live
- homelessness support
- Well Homes for private housing
- help to improve homes with no gas boiler
- help with energy efficiency
Warm Start Essex is a service provided by Citizens Advice in Essex, including Thurrock. If you are struggling to pay your energy bills and have dependent children living in your home, you may be eligible for free energy advice and guidance from the service. Go to Warm Homes Essex: Warm Start.
You can find details of other support at:
- GOV.UK: Help for households – household costs
- GOV.UK: Cost of living support – select 'Support with housing costs'
Support with travel costs
For information on local discounted travel by train, go to c2c: railcards, c2c: off-peak discounts and c2c: tickets and fares.
Find information on discounted bus travel, go to bus pass for disabled or older people.
You can find details of other support at:
- GOV.UK: Help for households – transport costs
- GOV.UK: Cost of living support – select 'Support with travel costs'
Other support
More information on different types of support for Thurrock residents – including food, finance and local organisations – go to Stronger Together Thurrock: Support for residents.
Support is available for smokers who wish to save money and reduce health risks by giving up smoking. Go to help to stop smoking.
To find out about offers from businesses to help with the cost of living, go to GOV.UK: Help for households – discounts and offers.
MoneySavingExpert.com is the UK's biggest consumer website, with advice on finding deals and saving cash. For advice on the best deals for household bills, go to Money Saving Expert: Household bills.