Find out what money you are entitled to
Contents
Council tax reductions
Financial support you get automatically, if eligible
Cost of living support you can apply for if you get welfare benefits
Cost of living support you can apply for if you do not get welfare benefits
Help for non-UK nationals who are not entitled to benefits
Help to increase your income, manage your debts and find discounts
Council Tax reductions
Some residents are eligible for a Council Tax reduction based on their circumstances. Find out if you can apply for a Council Tax reduction based on your circumstances.
Financial support you get automatically, if eligible
All households with a domestic electricity connection are entitled to a £400 non-repayable discount as part of the Energy Bills Support Scheme. More information is on the UK Government's Energy Bills Support Scheme guidance page. Please be aware that if you have a traditional pre-paid meter you may need to redeem vouchers at your usual top-up point, or to contact your supplier if you don't hear from them.
If you receive welfare benefits or tax credits
If you receive one of the welfare benefits or tax credits listed below you should get a payment from the Government to help with the cost of living. You should automatically receive this if you get one of these benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Employment & Support Allowance (income based)
- Jobseekers Allowance (income based)
- Working Tax Credit
- Income Support
The payments are worth about £325 and should have been made in November and December 2022. These payments should have gone to the same bank account used to pay your benefits. If you do not get this money you can report a missing cost of living payment on the GOV.UK website.
If you do not receive welfare benefits
Some low income residents who are not claiming welfare benefits may receive Cost of Living funding automatically. More information on who will receive this will be announced soon.
Cost of living support you can apply for if you get welfare benefits
Find out how to apply for money if you are on a low income or Pension Credit and need help with the cost of living.
Help for pension-aged residents
To get the most support, pension-aged residents (aged 66 and above) must apply for Pension Credit. We work with community partners to help vulnerable pension-aged residents get all the benefit support they are entitled to.
Check what benefits you're entitled to
You can use this webpage to check what benefits you are entitled to.
Our Local Support Team help disabled, vulnerable or older residents who are facing severe financial hardship. We can check that you and your household are getting all the welfare benefits you're entitled to and help you make a claim. They also run the:
- Southwark Emergency Support Scheme for residents who need help dealing with a crisis, emergency or disaster
- Hardship Fund for residents in debt with household bills.
Housing benefit, council tax reduction and other support
Cost of living support you can apply for if you do not get welfare benefits
About 30,000 low-income Southwark households got support in August and September 2022 from our £5m Cost of Living Fund.
This autumn and winter, the Cost of Living Fund is increasing to £7.7m.
From January 2023, low income residents may apply to the Cost of Living Fund online, or by calling 020 7525 2434.
Help for non-UK nationals who are not entitled to benefits
Help to increase your income, manage your debts and find discounts
Get help to increase your income, manage your debts and find discounts.
Page last updated: 13 January 2023
