Other financial benefits, allowances and payments

Housing benefit

Housing benefit is a national welfare benefit administered by local councils. It is designed to help people on low incomes in rented accommodation.

How much you get will depend on your income and capital (money held in bank accounts, investments and properties held in your name), plus your partner's if you have one. It will also depend on who else lives with you and what their ages and incomes are.

Find out if you can apply for housing benefit

Council Tax discounts, reductions and exemptions

There are a number of Council Tax discounts, reductions and exemptions available for those who meet certain criteria, including those who live alone, those with a disability and those on low income.

Find out if you're eligible for Council Tax discounts, reductions and exemptions

Discretionary housing payments

If you are on certain benefits you may be eligible for discretionary housing payments which provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs.

Check if you’re eligible for a discretionary housing payment

Extra help for pensioners: Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments

The government has identified as many as 880,000 pensioner households are missing out on Pension Credit with the average underclaim understood to be worth £3,600 per year.

To be eligible for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment, you must be entitled to Pension Credit and you must have made your claim by 21 December 2024.

Eligibility and applying

If you are over State Pension Age and have a low income you could be eligible for both Pension Credit and receive the Winter Fuel Payment, even if you own your home or have savings.
You need to apply without delay. Request a backdate of any potential award when you apply (as it will not be done automatically) and show you were entitled to it during the period of the qualifying week, which was 16 to 22 September 2024.
The maximum amount of time a backdate can be applied is three months, so you must have claimed Pension Credit on any day up to and including 21 December 2024.
Getting Pension Credit can provide you with extra financial help for payments such as rent, Council Tax, cold weather payments and a free TV licence for people aged 75 and over.

Check if you're eligible for Pension Credit and how to apply

Extra help for residents with disabilities

There are a number of allowances and payments you may be eligible for depending on your personal circumstances:

If you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week, you could be eligible for carer’s allowance.
If you have a disability that requires someone to look after you, you could be eligible for attendance allowance.
If you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work, you could be eligible for employment and support allowance.
If you are raising a child with disabilities, Family Fund can help you to understand what financial support you are eligible for and offer a range of grants.
If you are a home-owner, you might be eligible for help towards paying interest payments on mortgages and house loans through support for mortgage interest.

Citizens Advice can help you identify your financial support options.

Find out if you're eligible for government financial support

Help for members of the armed forces community

In response to increases in the cost of living, the Royal British Legion has launched everyday needs grant, providing up to £2,400 over 12 months for members of the armed forces community.

Find out more about the everyday needs grant and apply online

Surrey Crisis Fund

The Surrey Crisis Fund is a discretionary fund run by Surrey County Council. It provides financial help to Surrey residents who have nowhere else to turn in an emergency or following a disaster. It also can provide assistance to set up a home in the community where no other funds or resources are available.

Find out more about the Surrey Crisis Fund