Local financial support
Find out if you qualify for certain benefits and grants, especially if you are on a low income or have been made redundant. Also check the government financial support page.
- Benefits calculator - make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to and calculate how much you could receive
- Council tax reduction can help you pay your council tax if you are on a low income
- Council tax discounts and exemptions - if you are a single person, have a disability or have a property that is exempt you may be entitled to a discount or exemption on your council tax
- Discretionary housing payments - if you receive housing benefit or universal credit, you may be able to apply for a discretionary housing payment to help with housing costs
- Discretionary council tax discount can be paid to help towards your council tax bill if you are facing financial hardship
- Household support fund provides help directly to eligible families, pensioners and care leavers to go towards food and essential items
- Housing benefit can help towards your rent if you are on a low income
- Local welfare assistance is an emergency financial payment that can be applied for if you are facing an immediate financial crisis. It can help towards basic essentials including energy
Extra financial support – find out about additional financial support from organisations that may not appear in other benefits calculators. Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to access national grant schemes or qualify for financial awards. A quick check on Lightning Reach will help identify any extra financial support you can apply for.
Support for parents
- Free school meals - if you receive certain benefits, your children could also be entitled to free school meals. Primary school children who previously would have been eligible for Free School meals and now received through the Universal Free School meals programme should still register as this will entitle them to additional benefits.
- Help with childcare costs - if you have a two-year-old and are on a low income or receiving benefits, you are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week
- Children aged three and four could be eligible for an additional 15 hours
- Support for school aged children, 6-19 year olds and university students including free school meals, help towards travel expenses and school holiday schemes
General advice
The community benefits team can provide general advice about benefit entitlements.
