Cold Weather Payment: when support applies
England and Wales
Cold Weather Payments can apply during qualifying periods of very cold weather for certain benefit recipients.
PublicHelp.co.uk
Guides
Explore support guides by theme
Browse 79 published guides by life situation. Some guides appear in more than one theme because their advice covers several needs. Always check the original provider for current rules.
Housing & energy
Rent, Council Tax, home energy and household bills.
Council Tax discounts and exemptions
England
Some households may qualify for Council Tax discounts or exemptions.
Council Tax Reduction: apply through your council — practical guide
England
Residents on a low income or receiving certain benefits may be able to reduce their Council Tax bill.
Council Tax Reduction: where to apply
England, Scotland and Wales
Low-income households may be able to reduce Council Tax through their local council.
Disabled Facilities Grant: help adapting your home — practical guide
England
Councils can help fund eligible adaptations needed to make a property safer or more accessible.
Disabled Facilities Grants: adapting your home
England and Wales
A Disabled Facilities Grant may help with essential adaptations to a home.
Discretionary Housing Payments: rent shortfalls
England and Wales
Discretionary Housing Payments may provide temporary additional support with housing costs.
Energy bills: priority services and supplier support
Great Britain
Energy suppliers provide additional support for some customers in vulnerable circumstances.
Finding your council’s housing and home adaptation support
england
Housing assistance can combine benefit support, local council funds and home adaptation grants. The appropriate authority depends on your postcode and housing situation.
Homelessness: urgent help from your council
England
Local councils can have legal duties to assess and assist people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.
Housing Benefit and rent help
England, Scotland and Wales
Housing Benefit continues for some claimants, while many working-age people instead receive help with rent through Universal Credit.
Housing costs within Universal Credit
UK - rules vary
Universal Credit may include an amount to help with qualifying rent or housing costs.
Social housing: applying and waiting lists
England and Wales
Council housing may be an option for households meeting local allocation requirements.
Warm Home Discount 2026/27: what to check — practical guide
England
A discount may be applied to qualifying energy accounts through participating suppliers.
Warm Home Discount: checking current scheme rules
England and Wales
Warm Home Discount may reduce eligible households’ electricity costs under the current scheme.
Water bills: social tariffs and hardship
England and Wales
Water companies may offer social tariffs or support for customers struggling with bills.
Winter Fuel Payment: seasonal heating support
England and Wales
Winter Fuel Payment may help certain eligible older people with winter heating costs.