Cost of living support

Pension Credit is the government benefit that gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. 

Pension Credit is separate to the State Pension, and you can get Pension Credit if you have other income, savings or own your own home. It can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.

You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.

If you are eligible, you may be able to claim around £3,500 a year. This could make a real difference and it could also entitle you to Cost of Living Payments.

If you get Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:

• Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
• Winter Fuel Payment
• Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
• a Council Tax discount
• a free TV licence if you’re aged 75 or over
• help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments, if you get a certain type of Pension Credit
• help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme
• a discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you’re moving house

Find out more here.

Our benefits calculator can help you to find out what support you might be entitled to. The calculator is free to use, and the details you provide are anonymous.

If you need food or other everyday items but are struggling to afford them, your local food bank might be able to help. They’re run on an individual basis so it’s worth contacting them in advance to find out how they operate. Find your nearest food bank here

Too Good to Go is an app that offers leftover food at a discount price from restaurants and cafes that would otherwise be thrown away.

OLIO connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus food can be shared, not thrown away

You can find information on housing in Thanet here.

If you’re homeless or at risk of being homeless we can give you help or advice. You need to complete a quick online assessment first.

You should speak to your landlord or mortgage lender first if you can’t pay your housing costs. If you’re a council tenant you should contact our housing team.

You might be able to get housing benefit if you’re on a low income. Complete our online benefits calculator to find out more.

If you’re claiming housing benefit or Universal Credit and need more help with housing costs, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). This is a one-off payment for help with rent or a rent deposit.

GOV.UK has advice on help towards mortgage interest payments which you might be eligible for if you’re receiving a qualifying benefit.

Free school meals

If you have a child under 19 in full-time education and you get certain benefits – like Universal Credit or income support – you may be eligible for free school meals. If your child is in reception, year 1 or year 2, you’ll get free school meals automatically – you don’t need to be getting a benefit. Find out more

Children’s Centres

There are a few Children’s Centres in the district. You can find your nearest Children’s Centre on Kent County Council’s website.

Babies and toddlers

If you’re expecting a baby you could get a maternity grant from Sure Start to help towards costs.

The Healthy Start Scheme offers help for milk and healthy foods for people who are 10 or more weeks pregnant or with children under the age of four.

All ages

If you have children, find out about childcare support and child benefit. You can see what help you can get towards childcare using GOV.UK’s childcare calculator.

Tax-Free childcare is a scheme where you can get up to £500 per child, every three months, to help with the cost of childcare.

The government’s Childcare Support website provides information on help that is available for childcare costs. In April 2024, changes are coming to 15 and 30 hours childcare support in England. You can sign up to receive more information on the changes, as well as how and when to register for support with childcare costs.

Family Fund offers support for essential items for families with disabled children.

You can get a benefits check and advice and support on family issues from Carers UK.Kent Young Carers support children and young people in a range of areas.

Cost of living payments

If you’re getting a means tested benefit – like Universal Credit for example – you’ll get a cost of living payment of £650 this year. It’s split into two instalments, one in the summer and one in the autumn. You don’t need to apply for it, it will be paid automatically.

If you get certain disability benefits – like Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment – you will get an extra £150 on top of the £650 payment. Read more about the cost of living payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is no longer paid to everyone who receives the State Pension. You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958. You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following:

Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Child Tax Credit
Working Tax Credit

Read more about the winter fuel payment

Energy bills

You can find more information about grants and schemes to make your home more energy efficient – Energy in the Home.

Ofgem is the independent energy regulator, working to protect energy consumers, especially vulnerable people. They have advice on switching energy suppliers. Ofgem – advice on switching

National Energy Action, the fuel poverty charity, campaigns so everyone can afford to live in a warm and safe home. They have advice on what to do if you are struggling with your energy bills. NEA – energy bills advice

Water

Learn more about Southern Water’s extra help and support available.

If you are having difficulties paying your water bill, you can contact Southern Water’s affordability team on 0800 027 0800 or email: hereTohelp@southernwater.co.uk You could be entitled to one of their payment schemes.

You can also apply to join the Priority Services Register if you have additional needs they ought to be aware of.

Mobile phones, Phones and Broadband

Ofcom has advice on how you could get cheaper phone and broadband bills by switching tariffs.

Various broadband providers have cheaper tariffs to support households on low income or in financial hardship. They’re called social tariffs. Learn more about them.

If you are looking for support with mental health and wellbeing for yourself or someone you care for, visit Kent and Medway’s Mental Wellbeing Information Hub.

If you are moving from benefits to work, Jobcentre Plus can help you prepare for, find and stay in work. Or visit GOV.UK – find a job if you are looking for work.

The National Careers Service can help you with your career, learning and training choices. National Careers Service

The government gave money to councils across England in 2024. This was called the Household Support Fund. The support was given to vulnerable households and families with children to help pay for food, energy, water and other household essentials. There were strict eligibility criteria in place.