Help with everyday costs

If you get certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest, you may qualify for a Cold Weather Payment when a winter is very cold. If you live in Scotland, you might get a Winter Heating Payment instead.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you may be able to get a Winter Fuel Payment if you are eligible. If you live in Scotland, you may be eligible for a payment from the Scottish Government.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is help for people on a low income to heat their homes. Ask your energy supplier about this or visit gov.uk

If you live in a park home, you can apply through the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.

Energy suppliers in Northern Ireland do not offer the Warm Home Discount. You may get financial help under the Affordable Warmth Scheme instead.

If you get certain benefits and you are behind (in arrears) with your energy payments, you can ask your energy supplier about the Fuel Direct Scheme. This allows your energy supplier to receive money directly from your benefits to pay off your debt. It should stop any final demands or debt action on your energy account.

If you have a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter and you are unable to top up your account, you should contact your energy supplier for support. They can offer you temporary credit.

You might be able to get a Fuel Bank Foundation voucher if you are struggling to top up your prepayment meter or pay-as-you-go account. You can also contact your local council, food bank or Citizens Advice. They can apply to the Fuel Bank Foundation for you.

Your GP, cancer doctor or specialist nurse can arrange these. You may be referred to an occupational therapist (OT) or a social worker for an assessment. OTs give information, support and equipment to help with everyday tasks. 

Your local council can also assess your home. A home assessment is free. You can also contact your local social services or social work department directly. 

You can get general advice and information about all types of equipment from Living Made Easy. You can also hire equipment from the Red Cross to help with mobility and going to the toilet.

The NHS can provide some equipment for free but there may be some things that involve costs to you. This will depend on if you live in a council or housing association property. Your healthcare team or local social services can tell you more.

You may be able to get disability-related benefits or a grant or a loan.

If you are in hospital, your nurse can arrange a hospital bed for you at home or equipment to make your bed more comfortable, such as a pressure-relieving mattress or cushion. If you are at home, your GP or district nurse can arrange this.

You may also be able to get grants to help with the costs of new bedding. 

The Hospital Saturday Fund offers grants for people who have a medical condition or disability and need financial assistance to buy specialised equipment. This includes orthopaedic mattresses and pillows. You cannot apply for this grant yourself. You must apply through a registered charity or member of your healthcare team.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can get a wig free on prescription. In England, some people are eligible for a free wig. Others may need to pay. Check our support with health costs information. 

The process to get a wig varies by hospital. Ask your cancer team how it works in your area.

If you are buying a wig yourself, the following information may be helpful:

• Synthetic wigs cost less than human hair wigs – usually £50 to several hundred pounds less. They are light, easy to care for and last 4 to 8 months.
• Wig banks and charities sell donated wigs at a discount or offer free ones – for example, Cancer Hair Care and the Little Princess Trust (under 24s).
• VAT-free wigs may be available. If hair loss is from cancer treatment, you should not have to pay VAT. Check with your supplier first. You cannot claim it back later.

Cancer Support UK offers free toiletry kits with a range of practical items to help people undergoing cancer treatment.

Look Good Feel Better runs workshops across the UK to help people manage changes to how they look and feel during cancer treatment. Workshop attendees get a free bag of full-size skincare and grooming products.

It also offers HeadWrappers workshops for anyone who has lost or is likely to lose their hair due to cancer treatment. Workshop attendees get a free bag with headwear.

If you are having treatment for breast cancer, you can apply for a free Little Lifts gift box, which contains helpful items handpicked by people who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy for breast cancer.

Contact your local council to find out about the Crisis Resilience Fund. You can also ask if they have a Local Welfare Assistance scheme.

Contact your local council to find out if they have a Scottish Welfare Fund. You may be able to apply for a Community Care Grant or a Crisis Grant.

Contact the Discretionary Assistance Fund to apply for an Individual Assistance Payment or an Emergency Assistance Payment. Call 0800 859 59 24 (free from a landline) or 033 0101 50 00 (charged at local rate).

Contact the Finance Support Service to apply for a Discretionary Support interest-free loan, or a grant that does not need to be paid back. Call 0800 587 27 50.