There is support in place from the Government to get help with your living costs. If you’re eligible, you may be able to get benefits and other financial support.
To find out what you may be eligible for, you can complete the questions on this page.
National Insurance
From July 2022, employees who earn £36,600 or under (around 70% of workers) will pay less National Insurance. A typical employee will save over £330 a year. Find out how these changes affect you.
National Insurance credits
You may be able to get National Insurance credits if you’re not paying National Insurance, for example when you’re claiming benefits because you’re ill or unemployed.
Credits can help to fill gaps in your National Insurance record, to make sure you qualify for certain benefits including the State Pension.
Check your National Insurance record for gaps.
Universal Credit
If you’re on low income, out of work or cannot work you may be eligible for Universal Credit. Check if you’re eligible.
Pension Credit
You could get extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income: even if you have savings or own your own home. Check if you’re eligible.
Cost of Living Payment
Millions of the UK’s poorest households will start to receive the first third of their £900 cost of living payment from 25 April 2023. Here is all you need to know on whether you are eligible and when you will get your payment.
The £900 grant – which you DON’T need to apply for – will be delivered in three chunks of slightly different amounts, all of which will be tax-free, will not count towards the benefit cap and will not have any impact on your existing benefits.
- £301 – from 25 April 2023
- £300 – during autumn 2023 (payment and eligibility dates yet to be confirmed)
- £299 – during spring 2024 (payment and eligibility dates yet to be confirmed)
The £301 payment will start hitting the bank accounts of qualifying households in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales from 25 April, with most payments being made by 17 May.
Key benefit qualifying dates for getting the new payment
To get the £301, you need to have been paid (or been eligible for a payment of) one of the benefits listed below for any day between 26 January 2023 and 25 February 2023.
You are eligible for the cost-of-living payment if you are entitled to any of the following:
- Child tax credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Universal credit – unless your universal credit was reduced to £0 for the entire period between 26 January to 25 February 2023. This is sometimes called a ‘nil award’ and can happen where you or your partner’s earnings or savings go up, you start getting another benefit or you get paid more than one set of wages within that period.
- Working tax credit
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
If you are above state pension age, you will get £300 – paid in winter 2023/24
If you are entitled to winter fuel payment and are above state pension age (aged 66 and over), you will get a top-up of £300 in winter 2023/24.
If you are eligible, you will be sent a letter in October or November 2023 telling you how much your total winter fuel payment will be.
Disability Cost of Living Payment
If you claim certain disability benefits, you will get £150 – paid in summer 2023
If you are one of six million people who get certain disability benefits you could get a £150 one-off payment paid in summer 2023.
You will get this payment if you are on any of the following benefits:
- Armed forces independence payment
- Attendance allowance
- Constant attendance allowance
- Disability living allowance
- Personal independence payment
- War pension mobility supplement
Extra money for carers
You could get £76.75 a week if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. Check if you’re eligible.
Paying your rent
Direct Debit
Direct debit is the main way to pay your rent and service charge. Weekly or monthly payments will be taken straight from your bank account so you don’t have to worry about missing a payment.
This way offers a payment guarantee, so if the bank makes an error, or we do, you’ll get a refund as soon as possible.
MyGuinness
Don’t forget, if you’re registered with MyGuinness, you can keep an eye on your rent account, including reviewing your balance and making payments.
Access MyGuinness or register for an account here.
Call us
You can call us on 0303 123 1890, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week to make a rent payment on your account.
Household Support Fund
There is further Government funding for the Household Support Fund which is distributed to English councils, who know their areas best and can offer direct support for those most in need in their region.
Funding is aimed at the most vulnerable and those who cannot pay for things like energy and water bills, food and essential items.
You do not have to be getting benefits to get help from your local council, and if you do get benefits, they will not be affected.
Local authorities can also issue food vouchers to families during the school holidays.
Marriage allowance
Marriage Allowance allows you to transfer 10% (£1,260) of your personal tax allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner if you earn less than the personal tax allowance, which is usually £12,570.
Budgeting Loans
You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you’ve been on certain benefits for 6 months. This can be used for household items, rent in advance and travelling costs.
Further benefits and financial support
Take a look at the Government’s website for more information on the benefits and support available if you come under any of the categories below: