Local authority
Council Tax Reduction
Council Tax Reduction lowers your council tax bill if you are on a low income or get certain benefits. Each council runs its own scheme, so you apply to your local council and the rules depend on where you live.
Help if you are on a low income
Top-ups and discounts when work, or a benefit, does not cover the bills.
What to check first
- Universal Credit is not only for people out of work. Many people in paid work qualify, and a lot of them never claim.
- Council Tax Reduction is run by your council and is claimed separately from anything else.
- Check whether you qualify for help with NHS costs, school costs and water bills — these are separate schemes with their own forms.
- If you are behind on a bill, contact the supplier before the debt grows. Most have hardship schemes that are not advertised.
What you may be able to claim
Each of these has its own rules. Open a page to see what it is, who runs it, and where the official guidance lives.
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Department for Education
Free school meals
Your child may get free school meals if you get certain benefits, such as Universal Credit. You apply through your local council. All infant-school pupils at state schools in England get free school meals.
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NHS Business Services Authority
Healthy Start
Healthy Start helps if you are pregnant or have a young child and get certain benefits. You get a prepaid card to spend on milk, fruit, vegetables, pulses and infant formula, and you can get free vitamins.
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Department for Work and Pensions
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs if you are on a low income, out of work or cannot work. It is replacing older benefits such as Housing Benefit and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Where to get help in person
We are an information site. If a decision has gone against you, or you are not sure what applies to your situation, free independent advice is available and it is worth using.
- Citizens Advice can look at your actual circumstances and help with forms and appeals.
- Your council's welfare or housing team runs local schemes that are not advertised nationally.
- Many charities run advice lines for specific conditions and situations.
None of them charge, and none of them will ask you to pay to make a claim.