Free Money Help UK: Grants & Support When You’re Struggling

Free money help in the UK: grants, the Crisis and Resilience Fund, Warm Home Discount, council tax help, water and energy support, and free advice.

Last updated: October 2026 · Schemes, amounts and rules change, and many depend on where you live. Always check the official page before you apply.

If money is tight right now, you’re not alone, and there’s no shame in asking for help. There’s more free money help in the UK than most people realise: grants that never need paying back, discounts on your bills, and free, friendly advice. Lots of it goes unclaimed simply because people don’t know it exists.

In this guide I’ll walk you through the main places to get help, step by step. I’ll start with the quickest wins, and then cover grants, bills, food and free advice. I’ll also tell you how to avoid the “free money” scams that target people when they’re struggling.

For a useful estimate, try my Council Tax Discount Calculator. Confirm eligibility and rules with the official provider.

Need help today? Start here

  • No money for food or heating right now: contact your local council and ask about the Crisis and Resilience Fund (see below), or ask Citizens Advice for a food bank referral.
  • Worried about debt: talk to a free debt charity like StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice. They won’t judge you, and it costs nothing.
  • Struggling to cope: you can call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time.

Step 1: Check what benefits you could get

This is the big one. Lots of benefit money goes unclaimed every year, and many other kinds of help (like the Warm Home Discount and free school meals) depend on whether you get a benefit like Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

Use a free, independent benefits calculator. GOV.UK lists the official ones, and Turn2us also has one. It takes about 15 minutes and you’ll need details of your income, savings, rent and household.

  • Working on a low income? You might still get Universal Credit.
  • Over State Pension age? Check Pension Credit. It can also unlock help with housing costs, council tax and heating.
  • Disabled or caring for someone? There may be extra benefits you can claim.

Step 2: Search for charity grants (Turn2us)

Grants are money you don’t have to pay back. Lots of charities give them, often for specific groups: people who worked in a particular job, people with a health condition, carers, widows, or people in a certain area.

The easiest way to find them is the free Turn2us Grants Search. It matches you with grants from more than 1,700 UK organisations. Grants can be cash, or things like a cooker, a bed or help with bills.

Tips for applying:

  1. Be specific about what you need and how much it costs.
  2. Explain your situation honestly and briefly.
  3. Ask a support worker, Citizens Advice or a charity to apply for you if a grant needs a referral. Many do.
  4. Apply to more than one if you’re eligible.

Step 3: Ask your council for help

Your local council is one of the best places to ask. You don’t need to know the name of the scheme: just call or check their website and say what you’re struggling with.

The Crisis and Resilience Fund

From 1 April 2026, councils in England run the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which runs until March 2029. It’s for low-income households hit by a sudden money shock, like an urgent bill or a drop in income. Depending on your council, it can help with food, energy and water bills, essentials like a fridge, bedding or clothes, and travel costs. Each council sets its own rules and how you apply, so search “[your council] Crisis and Resilience Fund”.

Council Tax Reduction

If you’re on a low income or benefits, you may be able to pay less council tax. There are also discounts, like 25% off if you live alone. If you’re behind, contact the council early. They’d much rather set up a plan than chase you.

Help with rent

If you get Housing Benefit or the housing part of Universal Credit and still can’t cover your rent, ask your council about a Housing Payment under the Crisis and Resilience Fund in England. This replaced Discretionary Housing Payments there from April 2026. Scotland and Wales continue to use their own Discretionary Housing Payment arrangements; check your council’s current scheme.

Step 4: Get help with energy bills

  • Warm Home Discount: £150 off your electricity bill each winter. In England and Wales, most eligible households receive it automatically. For winter 2026/27, you must have met the qualifying-benefit, participating-supplier and named-electricity-bill conditions on 23 August 2026. Scotland has different rules, and the scheme is not available in Northern Ireland. The government has confirmed it will continue until 2030/31.
  • Talk to your supplier: if you’re struggling, they must work with you. Ask about a payment plan you can afford, and whether you can get onto their Priority Services Register.
  • Energy charity grants: some supplier trusts and funds give grants to clear energy debt. Some, like the British Gas Energy Trust, have funds open to customers of other suppliers too. Check each one’s rules.

Step 5: Get help with water bills

Every water company in England and Wales has some kind of help for people on low incomes:

  • Social tariffs: a cheaper bill if your household income is low. Ask your water company.
  • WaterSure: if you’re on a water meter, get certain benefits, and have a large family or a medical condition that means you use more water, your bill can be capped.
  • Payment plans and debt help: many companies have schemes to help clear arrears.

Step 6: Help with food and children’s costs

  • Free school meals: from September 2026, in England, all children in households on Universal Credit can get free school meals, whatever your earnings. You still need to apply through your council or school.
  • Healthy Start: if you’re pregnant or have a child under 4 and get certain benefits, you can get money on a card for eligible milk, fruit and vegetables, plus free vitamins. Scotland uses the separate Best Start Foods scheme.
  • Holiday activities: many councils run free holiday clubs with food. In England, the Holiday Activities and Food programme remains linked to targeted free school meals eligibility; expanded meals eligibility alone does not automatically qualify a child.
  • School uniform help: some councils and charities offer grants or swap shops.
  • Food banks and community pantries: Citizens Advice, your council or a support worker can refer you.

For everyday savings, my guide to cutting your grocery bill has simple tips, like loyalty prices and yellow stickers.

Step 7: Get free, independent advice

You don’t have to work all of this out on your own. These services are free and confidential:

  • Citizens Advice: help with benefits, debt, housing and more.
  • MoneyHelper: the government-backed money guidance service.
  • StepChange and National Debtline: free debt advice and plans.
  • Turn2us: benefits calculator, grants search and guides.

Be careful of companies that charge for debt help. The free charities above can do the same things without fees.

Watch out for “free money” scams

Sadly, scammers target people who are struggling. You might see posts like “rich people giving away money” or “government grant, just pay a small fee”. Be very careful:

  • Real grants never ask you to pay a fee to receive money.
  • Never share your bank login or card details to “receive” a grant.
  • Be wary of social media giveaways asking you to message someone or pay for “processing”.
  • Avoid loan sharks. If someone lends without being authorised by the FCA, you can report them to your national illegal money lending team.

If you’ve been scammed, call your bank straight away and report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.

Free Money Help UK: Grants & Support When You're Struggling — MoneySavvyUK guide
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Free money help UK: FAQs

Can I get a grant I don’t have to pay back?

Yes. Many charities give grants, and the Turn2us Grants Search is the easiest way to find ones you might qualify for.

What is the Crisis and Resilience Fund?

It’s council-run emergency help in England for low-income households facing a sudden money shock. It started in April 2026. Ask your council how to apply.

Do I have to apply for the Warm Home Discount?

In England and Wales, most people on qualifying benefits get it automatically. If you think you should have it and don’t, contact the Warm Home Discount helpline.

Can I get help if I work?

Often, yes. Many people in work can claim Universal Credit, Council Tax Reduction and other help. Use a benefits calculator to check.

Are websites where “rich people give away money” real?

Be very cautious. Genuine help comes from charities, councils and the government, and never asks you to pay a fee. Start with Turn2us and your council instead.

Free money help UK: summary

  • Check your benefits first: it unlocks other help.
  • Search charity grants on Turn2us.
  • Ask your council about the Crisis and Resilience Fund and Council Tax Reduction.
  • Check the Warm Home Discount, water social tariffs and supplier help.
  • Apply for free school meals if you’re on Universal Credit.
  • Get free advice from Citizens Advice, MoneyHelper or StepChange.
  • Never pay a fee to receive “free money”.

When things feel a little steadier, my 7-day money reset and guide to building your first £1,000 buffer can help you plan the next step.

This is general information, not personal financial advice. Rules differ in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check the official page for where you live.

If you are financially stable enough to meet the account rules without borrowing, you can also compare bank switching bonuses. For immediate help, start with the grants and free advice above.

Plan your next money step: get my free 7-Day Financial Reset Kit.

About the author: Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan is a UK mum, former science teacher and PhD scientist. MoneySavvyUK shares practical money ideas and general information, with sources so you can check the rules yourself.