Benefits grants and payments
Benefits calculators
There are a number of benefits you could be entitled to that could help reduce bills or maximise your income. We recommend using a benefits calculator to get a good idea of the financial help you could be receiving. Citizens Advice has an up to date list of reliable benefits calculators.
If you have no recourse to public funds (NRPF) or are otherwise unable to receive benefits for British and Irish citizens, we recommend that you look at support for migrant families from the NRPF Network.
Our benefits, grants and payments information
You can find out more about the benefits and discretionary payments that you may be eligible for in our benefits section. You can also view your benefits online.
- benefits if you are disabled, have a health condition or are caring for somebody
- discounts and exemptions on your Council Tax
- support with Council Tax
- housing benefits.
At the national level, you can find more information about benefits on GOV.UK, including the housing element of Universal Credit.
If you need additional help after viewing the information available, you can contact our benefits team.
Household Support Fund
The government's Household Support Fund was set up to help those in need over winter. Keep up to date with the latest information on our Household Support Fund page.
Housing benefits, grants and payments information
- Disabled Facilities Grant
- rent in advance, deposit and bond schemes for tenants
- energy efficiency grant for homeowners from the Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP)
- grants and assistance for landlords
Government payments and grants
The government have arranged a number of payments and grants for those in need.
- you may automatically receive a Cost of Living payment, Disabled Cost of Living payment or Pensioners Cost of Living payment if you are already receiving certain benefits
- pensioners may receive a Winter Fuel payment automatically
There are also general grants and credits still available that the government set up before the current cost of living difficulty.
Income payments and grants
Household and energy payments and grants
- Energy Bill Discount - this should be paid automatically from October to March
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Budgeting Loan
- Discretionary Housing Payment
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Keep up to date with information about the national Council Tax Energy Bill Rebate and our local Discretionary Energy Bill Rebate, announced earlier this year. You will have received a letter from us if you are eligible for the discretionary rebate.
Childcare payments and grants
Pension credit
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £201.05 a week for single pensioners or £306.85 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who:
- have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
Someone may still get Pension Credit if they:
- have not paid National Insurance contributions
- have some savings or a small pension
- live with their grown-up family
- own their own home
Pension Credit: are you eligible?
Use the Pension Credit calculator to find out how much Pension Credit someone could get.
Cost of living payments
Make sure to keep up with the latest guidance and support on the cost of living payments page on GOV.UK.
Crisis advice scheme for BCP residents
If you are under significant pressure or in danger, we may be able to offer help through our crisis advice scheme. Please note that you must be a BCP resident over the age of 16.
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice BCP mobile outreach vehicle - to help make reaching their services that little bit easier. The Community Advice Vehicle will be in these areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in the coming months.