Help with the cost of living

If you’re struggling to pay for essentials, there is help available. Contact your local council to find out if they can help you with the cost of essentials such as:

• Rent and rental costs
• Your energy and water bills
• Food
• Items such as a cooker or fridge.

There are different funds providing services and support in each UK nation. They are aimed at people in various situations, including those:

• Who have low income
• Are vulnerable and cannot pay for essentials
• Who have had an unexpected crisis

These funds are:

• The Crisis and Resilience Fund in England
• The Scottish Welfare Fund in Scotland
• The Discretionary Assistance Fund in Wales
• Discretionary Support in Northern Ireland

Each fund includes details on whether payments affect any benefits you get. In England, Wales and Scotland benefits are mostly unaffected. You can also ask for support if you do not claim any benefits.

Energy bills can be much higher for people with disabilities. Support is available if, for example:

• You’re struggling financially
• You’re unable to pay your energy bills
• You can’t add money to your prepayment meter

Your first step should be to contact your supplier. They must help you find a solution. All the companies who supply energy to 95 percent of UK homes, have signed up to the Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment. This is a shared agreement to provide extra protection for their customers in vulnerable situations.

Each provider has its own ways of supporting people with different needs. Check directly with your supplier to see how they can help you. For example, the following companies have set up funds or grants:

• British Gas
• Scottish Power
• EDF Energy
• ON Next
• Ovo
• Octopus Energy
• Utility Warehouse

If your energy may be disconnected

If you’ve been unable to pay your bills, your supplier may tell you they could disconnect your energy supply. However, they cannot do this between 1 October and 31 March if you are of state pension age and:

• You live alone
• You only live with someone who is also of state pension age
• You only live with children under 18 years old

In other situations, your energy provider must also take all reasonable steps to avoid disconnecting your supply. This applies between 1 October and 31 March if someone you live with:

• Has reached state pension age
• Is disabled
• Has a long-term physical or mental health condition

If any of these apply to you and you can’t pay your bill, it’s important to contact your supplier to let them know.

The companies who signed up to the Energy UK Vulnerability Commitment have additional pledges. They will not disconnect you between 1 October and 31 March if you live with children under 16.

They also won’t disconnect you at any time of year if any of the following apply:

• You’re disabled
• You have long-term health problems
• You have severe financial problems
• You have children under six years old living at home

Other local support

Contact your local council to see if they offer energy support.

You can also talk to an energy adviser at Citizens Advice. They can advise on local schemes. You can call their consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133. They are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

They also have more information on support for energy bills.

Help with energy supply in an emergency

Some people, including those with disabilities, can be at increased risk in urgent emergency situations. The Priority Services register is a free service across England, Wales and Scotland. It ensures you get priority support in an emergency such as unplanned power cuts. Or that you are given advance notice of scheduled power cuts.

In Northern Ireland there is a care registers scheme. This offers help in emergencies from water and electricity providers.

The Winter Fuel Payment is a government payment for older people to help pay for the cost of heating during the winter months.

To be eligible you must:

• Usually live in England, Northern Ireland or Wales
• Be born on or before 27 June 1960
• Have an annual income of £35,000 or less, or be receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit, such as Pension Credit or Universal Credit

Most people who are eligible don’t need to claim for this payment – you can check here if you need to. You will get a letter in October or November saying how much you’ll get. This could be between £100 and £300. The amount depends on when you were born and your circumstances during the ‘qualifying week’, which is in September. Payment will be made in November or December.

If you live in Scotland, you may be eligible for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. To qualify you must be of state pension age and live in Scotland during the ‘qualifying week’ in September.

Most eligible people get the payment without needing to apply. You will receive a letter to confirm the payment. This could be between £105.55 and £316.70.

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill if you’re eligible.

In England and Wales, you may qualify if:

• Your electricity supplier participates in the scheme
• You receive Pension Credit, or
• You live in a low-income household and meet your energy supplier’s eligibility criteria

If you qualify, the government will usually send you a letter in the autumn or early winter. Your electricity supplier will automatically apply the Warm Home discount to your bill.

In Scotland, you may be eligible if, on 23 August 2026, the following apply:

• Your energy supplier Is part of the scheme
• You (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits
• Your name (or your partner’s) is on your electricity bill

You can find out more here.

In Northern Ireland, the Affordable Warmth Scheme provides grants for work to improve the energy efficiency of homes. This includes funding for:

• Insulation and ventilation
• Heating – including boilers and storage systems
• Windows
• Wall insulation

It may be available if you:

• Live in Northern Ireland
• Own and occupy your property as your main home
• Have a life interest arrangement in the home
• Rent for a private landlord
• Have an annual income of less than £23,000

You may get Cold Weather Payments if you receive certain benefits and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. You’ll get £25, paid automatically when the average temperature in your postcode area is zero degrees Celsius or below for 7 days in a row.

This applies between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027.

In Scotland, a Winter Heating Payment is paid as a single payment of £62 if you are eligible. It’s paid from December.

You can find more information on these payments. This includes details of eligibility and a postcode checker.

England and Wales

If you’re struggling to pay your water bills and fall into debt, contact your water supplier to see what support they can provide. Water companies also have social tariffs. These are discounts on water bills that households on a low-income or on benefits can receive.

If you live in England or Wales, you may be eligible for the WaterSure scheme if you’re in receipt of benefits and:

• You need to use a lot of water for medical reasons, or
• Your household has three or more children of school-age.

The scheme means your water supplier will cap your water bill based on the average water bill in your area. To apply, you will need to fill in an application form, which you can request from your water supplier. Check the Consumer Council for Water for details on:

• Help with paying water bills
• Debt support schemes
• Hardship funds

Northern Ireland and Scotland

In Northern Ireland, all households are supplied by Northern Ireland Water. If you’re unable to pay your bill, contact them to discuss your circumstances and payment options.

In Scotland, all households are supplied by Scottish Water. If you receive council tax reductions, you may be entitled to a discount on water charges. Your local council should automatically apply any reduction due to you.

Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages. They are available to people on certain benefits, such as:

• Universal Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit.

The service you receive is the same, but the costs are cheaper than a regular package. If your current broadband supplier offers a social tariff, you can switch free of charge. If you move to a new provider, there should be low or no set-up fees. Prices won’t go up during your contract and there is no fee to leave before the end of your contract.

Take a look at the available tariffs on Ofcom’s website.

If you’re struggling with the cost of living, support is available. Your local Citizens Advice can help you to understand your options and give you advice.

There is also further guidance on Moneyhelper – a service provided by the government and the Money and Pensions service.

Or you can get in touch with us. We’re here to help.

Author: Muscular Dystrophy UK

Last reviewed: October 2026
Next review due: October 2027