Cost of living support​

All households with a domestic electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales qualify for a discount on their energy bills. It’s a £400 non-repayable discount to help out over the winter.
The payment is automatic. So, if you get an email or message that looks official asking for your bank details – don’t reply! It’s a scam.

And you’ll still get the discount if:

• you change your payment method
• you change your tariff
• you switch electricity supplier
• you move to a new address
• your supplier goes bust
• you’re in arrears on your electricity bill payments

You don't need to do anything. Your discount will be applied to your household electricity bills, starting in October 2022, for 6 months. So you’ll get £66 off in October and November, and £67 off in December, January, February and March.

The discount is applied monthly, even if you pay quarterly or use a payment card. Direct debit customers will get a reduced direct debit OR a refund if the direct debit has already been collected.

If you pay by standard credit or payment card, your discount will be credited to your account the first week of the month.

Smart prepayment meter customers will get a credit to their meter the first week of each month.

Traditional prepayment meter customers may get an automatic credit when they top up, or vouchers by email, SMS text or post.

Your supplier should be in touch with more information before the scheme starts.

Useful to know...

Anyone struggling with energy bills should know that suppliers MUST offer payment plans that people can afford. Contact your supplier to find out more. Also, if you have a prepayment meter and are unable to top up, you can ask for emergency credit.

The Household Support Scheme has been extended and will run until March 2023.

This big pot of money has been distributed to councils across the UK who decide how much each eligible person can get. Eligible people are residents who are most in need of financial help to cover the rising cost of things like food and energy.

£200 is the reported amount however the actual calculation may vary depending on your circumstances.

Find your local council website here by entering your postcode. Then search your council’s website for ‘Household Support Fund’. This will tell you how funds are allocated and help you decide if you are eligible.

Citizens Advice provides free help to people in need. The organisation can help you find grants or benefits, or advise on rent, debt and budgeting.

More than 8 million households across the UK are receiving a payment of £650 in two instalments.
If you get Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Pension Credit or legacy benefits, you are eligible for the payment. And you should receive it automatically.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will pay the money straight into your bank account. The first payment went out in July and the second in the autumn.

If you haven’t received a payment and think you qualify, you can find out more here. Or call HMRC on 0345 300 3900.

Around 8 million pensioner households will also get an additional £300 – paid out with their Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) in November or December. You don’t need to do anything. If you’re over state pension age of 66 in the qualifying week (19th-25th September 2022) and in receipt of the WFP, you should receive the payment automatically.

If an older person relies on you to help manage their personal finances, you can reassure them the payment is coming. Also make sure to tell them not to respond to any official-looking emails or text messages asking for their bank details.

The government has said that no one will be asked for their bank details and its important to remember that scammers will use any opportunity to strike. Vulnerable older people are particularly at risk so it’s vital to stay vigilant.

Do you work from home?

If you work from home for all or part of the week, you may be able to claim tax relief on additional household costs. You can only claim tax relief if your job requires you to live far away from your office or your employer does not have an office. You can’t claim tax relief if you have chosen to work from home.

WFH tax relief

Do you pay for uniform, work clothing or tools?

You may be able to claim tax relief on the cost of repairing or replacing small tools you need for your job, or repairing or replacing specialist clothing (a uniform or safety boots, for example).

Uniform tax relief

Do you drive your own vehicle for work?

If you use a car, van, motorcycle or bicycle for work, you might be able to claim tax relief on the approved mileage rate. This covers the cost of owning and running your own vehicle.
How much you can claim depends on whether you’re using your own vehicle or your employer’s. You can’t claim for travel to and from work – unless it is a temporary place of work.

Work mileage tax relief

Do you pay professional fees and subscriptions?

If you must pay membership fees to be able to do your job, or pay annual subscriptions to approved professional bodies or societies, you can claim tax relief on these. You can’t claim tax relief on fees or subscriptions your employer has paid or to organisations that are not HMRC approved.

Professional fees & subscriptions tax relief

Do you pay travel and overnight expenses?

If you have to travel for work (not to work) you might be able to claim tax relief on things like food or overnight expenses, hotel accommodation or public transport, congestion charges and tolls, parking fees, business phone calls and printing costs.

Travel & expenses tax relief

Have you bought other equipment?

You can claim tax relief on the full cost of substantial equipment you need to do your job. A computer or laptop, for example. These things qualify for a type of allowance called an annual investment allowance.

Equipment tax relief