Check benefits and financial support you can get: Information based on your answers

Based on your answers, you may be eligible for the following 12 things.

This tool does not include all the ways you can get help with living costs. It will be updated with more types of support.

Pension Credit

You may be able to get extra money if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. If you live with a partner, you may be able to get Pension Credit if you’ve both reached State Pension age, or one of you is getting Housing Benefit for people over State Pension age.

Check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit

Housing Benefit

You could get help to pay your rent if you’ve reached State Pension age or are in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.

You will not get Housing Benefit if your savings are over £16,000 (unless you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit) or if you live with a partner below State Pension age. You should apply for Universal Credit instead.

Check if you’re eligible for Housing Benefit

Winter Fuel Payment

You'll automatically get a Winter Fuel Payment if you’re getting the State Pension. You may have to apply if you've reached State Pension age but are not getting your State Pension, for example because you deferred it. This winter the amount you’ll get will include a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’.

Check if you're eligible and whether you need to apply for a Winter Fuel Payment

Council Tax Reduction

You may be able to get Council Tax Reduction if you’re on a low income or claim benefits.

Check if you’re eligible for Council Tax Reduction

Get a free or discounted TV licence

You may be able to get a free TV licence if you’re 75 or older and get Pension Credit. You can get a discounted TV licence if you’re registered blind or in residential care.

Check if you’re eligible for a free or discounted TV licence

Budgeting Loan

You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you’ve been on certain benefits for 6 months.

Check if you’re eligible for a Budgeting Loan

NHS Help with health costs

You may be able to get help with prescriptions, dental care, healthcare travel and other health costs, particularly if you’re on a low income or getting certain benefits.

Check if you’re eligible for help with health costs on the NHS website

Apply for an older person's bus pass

In England you can get a bus pass for free travel when you reach the State Pension age. In Wales you can get a pass at 60.

Find out how to apply for an older person’s bus pass on the nidirect website

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on your mortgage or certain loans taken out on your home.

Check if you’re eligible for Support for Mortgage Interest

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could get a discount on your electricity bill between October and March under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. You'll automatically get the discount if you get certain benefits. If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill.

Check if you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme

Wales fuel support scheme payment

You may be able to claim a one-off payment to help pay your fuel costs if you or your partner get certain benefits. You'll need to apply through your local council.

Check if you're eligible for a Wales fuel support scheme payment on the GOV.WALES website

Discretionary Assistance Fund

If you’re in financial hardship, you could get money as part of the Discretionary Assistance Fund. This can be used if you need support to live independently or for essential costs, such as food, utility bills or emergency travel.

Check if you’re eligible for the Discretionary Assistance Fund on the GOV.WALES website

Other benefits and financial support

If you're getting certain benefits or tax credits you may be eligible for a cost of living payment. You do not need to apply. If you’re eligible, you’ll be paid automatically.

You may also get help from your local council with essential costs like bills and food.

You can also find out more by:

reading about the support available to help with the cost of living
using a benefits calculator - enter information on income, savings and spending to get an estimate of benefits you can get and how much