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Advice and support for:

Estate Planning

Retirement

Mortgages

Insurances

Savings & Investments

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Funded by the UK government, the scheme is for those most in need of support to help with significantly rising living costs.

The fund can be used for:

food and home essentials

school uniforms

energy

water

essentials linked to energy and water

housing costs in exceptional circumstances, but not mortgages.

The fund is available to everyone who lives in Medway, including those who are not currently receiving benefits and who are not eligible for public funds.

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About the Household Support Fund | Household Support Fund | Medway Council

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Through the Household Support Fund, eligible Medway residents will be able to apply up to 3 times between October 2021 and 31 March 2022 for assistance with essential household costs.

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Affordable loans paid straight from your salary.

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Free & Impartial Advice and Guidance for NHS Staff.

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Affordable plans to support you with claiming back costs of dental work, physio, eye tests, and more.

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Lease a new car with fixed monthly payments made straight from your salary. NO deposit, NO credit checks.

Lease includes: Road tax Car insurance, (for up to 5 drivers), Routine servicing Breakdown cover, and Windscreen & tyre cover.

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Cyclescheme is an employee benefit that saves you up to 42% on a bike and accessories. You pay nothing upfront and the tax-free payments are taken directly from your salary.

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Discount service for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces.

For just £4.99, members of the Blue Light community can register for 2-years access to more than 15,000 discounts.

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The UK’s largest Emergency Service discount and NHS discount service for UK public sector. Free to register online and home of the Blue Light Card High Street Card

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The Trust has negotiated special rates at a number of local Gyms.

Snap Fitness, Sittingbourne & Neats Court - Staff can enjoy membership on a rolling month to month contract at £29.99 per month. Contact the team at Snap Fitness on 01795 599 598.

Abbey School Fitness Centre, Faversham - Staff can enjoy membership on a rolling month to month contract at £25.00 per month. Contact the team at the centre on 01795 542488.

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Free to claim, all you need is your NHS email address. Register here: https://cinemasocietyclub.com/

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Health Service Discounts: NHS Discounts, Offers & Codes

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Health Service Discounts you deserve. Hundreds of NHS discounts, codes & deals on fashion, travel, essentials, mobiles & more. Free to join & free to use.

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Here you can self-refer to free physiotherapy and access expert guides on managing MSK issues.

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The Take & Donate Service is located next to the Trust Library (Medical Education Centre) and is easily accessible.

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Donate and take screensaver - updated August 2024

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A service for Medway Residents that can:

connect you to the departments within the council that can help you

make sure that you’re getting all the financial help you’re entitled to

provide impartial support

provide emergency financial support

help you to improve your financial welfare.

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Contact our Financial Welfare Hub | Contact our Financial Welfare Hub | Medway Council

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We’re here to help Medway residents who are facing financial hardship. Our Financial Welfare Hub gives you all the information you need in one place.

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Free legal advice and representation for those at risk of losing their homes.

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This website will give you the same answers to questions about your situation as you would get from the Council over the phone or face-to-face.

It will give you an early indication of whether you are likely to be helped by your local council, and in what way. The sooner you know the likely outcome, the sooner you can prepare to take your next steps.

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Are you at risk of becoming homeless in Kent?

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If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, then our assessment tool can provide you with useful information and guidance from your local authority in Kent.

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You can get help if you're struggling to afford your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter. You might be able to take advantage of certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You might be able to get £140 off your electricity bill or a £140 voucher for your prepayment meter. You can get this under the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you're either:

getting the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit

on a low income

Find out more about the Warm Home Discount Scheme on GOV.UK.

If you applied for a Warm Home Discount but switched before getting it

If you get the Warm Home Discount automatically, you'll still get it if you switch suppliers.

If you don't get the discount automatically, you'll have to apply for it again from your new supplier. Your new supplier might have different rules about who gets the discount.

Winter Fuel Payment

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual one-off payment to help you pay for heating during the winter.

You can usually get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born on or before 26 September 1955.

Check how much Winter Fuel payment you can get and how to claim it on GOV.UK.

Cold Weather Payments

Cold Weather Payments are one-off payments to help you pay for extra heating costs when it's very cold.

You'll get a payment each time the temperature drops below a specific temperature for a set period of time.

You'll only be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment if you already get:

Pension Credit

Income Support

income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Universal Credit

If you're eligible, you'll get paid automatically. Find out more about Cold Weather Payments on GOV.UK.

Grants to help pay off your energy debts

If you're in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help pay it off.

The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:

If you can't get a grant from your supplier, check if you can get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. These grants are available to anyone - you don't have to be a British Gas customer.

Before you apply

When you apply for a grant, you'll have to provide detailed information about your financial situation in your application. It could take a while to complete, and it might be worth getting help from a friend or family member. You can also talk to an adviser for help filling in forms.

It's worth checking on the trust or fund website if there's anything else you need to do before you apply.

For example, if your supplier is E.ON, E.ON Next or EDF you'll need to show you've completed a budget sheet with a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approved adviser. To do this:

1. Find an adviser using the debt advice locator on the Money Helper website

2. Check if the adviser or their firm is on the FCA register

3. Contact the adviser to arrange a conversation where you'll complete a budget sheet

You can get ready for your conversation by using the Budget Planner on the Money Helper website.

Local energy grants

Check if you can get a local energy grant on the Simple Energy Advice website.

You might also be able to find grants or schemes run by your local council. Find your local council on GOV.UK.

If you can't afford to top up your prepayment meter

You might be able to get a fuel voucher. This is a code given to you in a letter or in a text message or email. You can use it to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. If you don't have one of these, contact your supplier to get one.

Your local council might be able to help you get a fuel voucher - find your local council on GOV.UK. If you're still not sure if you can get a voucher, get help from an adviser.

You can use a fuel voucher at:

To use your voucher you'll need to take:

You must use your fuel voucher within 3 months after you get it.

If you have problems using your voucher, contact the organisation that gave it to you - you should be able to find their contact information on the instructions.

Extra help from your supplier

You might be able to get extra help and support from your energy supplier by signing up to the Priority Services Register. You can sign up if you've reached state pension age, you're disabled or sick, or if your energy network considers you 'vulnerable'.

Your energy supplier can help you with things like:

reading your energy meter

moving your energy meter free of charge

getting your bills sent or copied to someone else - for example, a carer

Further help

Check what to do if:

Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline if you need more help - a trained adviser can give you advice over the phone or by email.

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Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills

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You can get help if you're struggling to afford your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter. You might be able to take advantage of certain benefits, grants and help offered by the government and energy suppliers. You might be able to get £140 off your electricity bill or a £140 voucher for your prepayment meter.

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Helping users rescue good food from going to waste, offering great value for money at local stores, cafes and restaurants.

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The app that lets customers rescue unsold food from shops and restaurants to save it from going to waste. Try it today.

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You can claim back up to £65 for your eye test and glasses. To do this, you will need to pay the full amount for your eye test/glasses up front and then submit a claim through Easy Expenses.

Once you log in/create an account:

·         Select ‘expense claims’ in the left hand bar

·         Select ‘add/edit’ under unsubmitted claims

·         In the ‘other claims’ header, pop in the date of your eye test

·         Select ‘Other: Eye Tests’ as expense type

·         Upload receipt and include amount being claimed

·         Make sure you save/submit!

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Page generated at 13:07 on 20th January 2025 in 0.19 seconds EASY: Copyright © 2007-2025 Giltbyte Ltd.

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If you are struggling with energy debt, the British Gas Energy Trust may be able to help you (no matter who your supplier is). Click here to find out more.

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Provides financial support to all experiencing poverty at a time of crisis including small grants to individuals https://www.natben.org.uk/

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For over 200 years 'The National Benevolent Charity' has given assistance to people who have fallen into poverty because of sickness, disability, age or an

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For those struggling with money issues who may need support such as finding grants, benefits or help with bills and local schemes. Lightning Reach portal enables a search and apply for support from multiple providers quickly and easily.

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Supports frontline workers across the UK with grants to prevent eviction and homelessness and helps with accommodation.

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St-Martin-in-the-Fields | UK homeless charity

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We are a UK homeless charity. We enable frontline workers and people experiencing homelessness to work together to find a safe place to live.

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Providing holidays for those families on very low incomes with children under 18 and who haven’t had a holiday together in the last 4 years.

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Family Holiday Charity helps families get time away together - often for the first time ever - for holidays that build happy memories, confidence and hope for the future. We’re here for parents having to choose between a day out or school shoes, for young carers, grandparent carers and families fac…

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Family Fund Grants for parents/carers of a disabled or seriously-ill child.

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Family Fund deliver grants for families raising a disabled or seriously ill child or young people on a low income across the UK

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Additional Grants and Loans for Healthcare Professionals

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Additional Grants and Loans for Healthcare Professionals

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Tax Refund: Uniform

If you wear a uniform at work, you may qualify for a tax rebate (please note that this does NOT include PPE). Check if you are eligible on the government website here: www.gov.uk/guidance/job-expenses-for-uniforms-work-clothing-and-tools. You can make your claim for free on the government website here: www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-income-tax-relief-for-your-employment-expenses-p87

Tax Refund: Working from home

If you work from home for all or part of the week, you may be able to claim tax relief (this includes if you are forced to work from home due to COVID19). Check if you can claim, and make your claim on the government website here: www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home

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Access low-cost and free furniture, appliances, and disability aids: https://www.thestreet-angels.org/furniture-appliances-disability-aids

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Blue Light Insurance, Mortgages and other Household Bills

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Blue Light Insurance, Mortgages and other Household Bills

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If you have a ‘Blue Light Card’ you are able to benefit from various discounts for switching energy provider, free mortgage advice, and money off home buyers protection insurance are some examples. You can claim your Blue Light Card here: www.bluelightcard.co.uk the discount card costs £4.99 and lasts for 2 years. You will need an NHS ID Card or a payslip to register.

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If you are considering retirement in the next 3 years and would like to find out more, this 2.5 hour session covers:

Changes in your lifestyle and options available to build a new way of life

Choices you need to make about your occupational pension before you leave

Where you can expect income from and how it is taxed differently in retirement

What different savings and investments can do for you

Why increased life expectancy escalates the dangers of inflation and how to combat it

How to ensure your estate is passed to your intended beneficiaries

How to deal with long term care costs and inheritance tax

Understand your next steps & where you can receive further guidance & regulated financial advice

There is also a ‘Pension and Public Service Remedy’ session. To find out more information about the course, you can contact the Organisational Development team at Medwayft.od@nhs.net.

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There are options if you need help quickly for urgent things like:

You can sometimes get a grant or loan in an emergency or crisis situation.

For example, if you lose your job or home and cannot meet your needs.

Before you apply, check you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to.

How to find a grant

A grant does not have to be paid back so is better than a loan.

You could try to get a grant through:

Household support fund

Councils have extra money to help people who need it to buy food, pay energy and water bills and help with housing costs in an emergency.

Council welfare assistance schemes

Some councils give grants as part of their local welfare assistance schemes.

Some schemes offer vouchers, white goods or loans instead of grants.

Council help to stop you losing your home

You can get help from the council if you're facing eviction or your home is unaffordable.

The council could use money from its homeless prevention fund to help you stay in your home. For example, by clearing your arrears.

Find out more about:

Other hardship funds

You can ask other organisations about hardship funds. For example, your:

Citizens Advice has more on grants to help with energy debts.

Other help you do not have to pay back

You can get extra financial help if you claim universal credit for things like rent, childcare and medical costs.

Discretionary housing payments

You can ask for a discretionary housing payment (DHP) if you cannot pay your full rent with your universal credit or housing benefit.

Contact your council's discretionary housing payments team

What is your location?

Use my GPS location

Free food from a food bank

Food banks provide at least 3 days of food for people with a food voucher.

They are run by charities and community groups.

Ask for a food voucher from a doctor, health visitor, social worker, school or advice service.

Find a food bank on the Trussell Trust website.

Energy bills

If you cannot get a grant, you can still ask your supplier to:

You could also benefit from schemes to help pay energy bills like:

Council tax

There are 2 ways you could reduce your council tax bill:

Council tax support is also called council tax reduction.

Find out if you can pay less council tax.

Water

You can get help if you struggle to pay your water bills.

You could also save money with a water meter if you have a larger home with spare bedrooms. But it might cost more if you have a large family or live in a smaller home.

Broadband and mobile packages

You can often get cheaper internet and phone packages if you claim benefits like universal credit or pension credit.

These lower tariffs do not always appear on comparison websites.

Find free furniture and white goods

End Furniture Poverty has:

How to find a loan

Loans have to be paid back.

A loan could help with an emergency expense but it:

Look for interest free loans. Make sure you can afford the repayments.

Interest free loans from the council

Councils may offer interest free loans if you have urgent needs.

Local schemes set out:

If you're facing eviction or homelessness the council might offer a loan to:

Universal credit advances

You can ask for a universal credit advance during the 5 week wait for your first payment.

You might need an advance if you cannot afford food, rent or important bills while you wait.

An advance is an interest free loan from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

You can pay it back over 2 years but your monthly universal credit payments will be lower while you pay back the advance.

Budgeting advances or loans from the DWP

You can also apply for a:

You must have been getting universal credit or another low income benefit for at least 6 months to get a budgeting advance or loan.

A budgeting advance or loan is used for:

Credit union loans

You need to be a member of a credit union to apply for a loan.

Credit union loans are usually more expensive than personal loans from a bank or building society but it may be easier to get a loan if you have a poor credit history.

Credit union loans are not interest free.

Find out more about credit unions from StepChange debt charity.

Avoid payday loans and doorstep lenders

These types of loans are expensive and often make your financial situation worse.

StepChange debt charity has advice on:

Last updated: 27 February 2023

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Emergency grants, loans and money help - Shelter England

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There are options if you need help quickly for urgent things like: You can sometimes get a grant or loan in an emergency or crisis situation. For example, if you lose your job or home and cannot meet your needs. Before you apply, check you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to.

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Mymoneymatters - exclusive webinar for MFT colleagues, students, and volunteers

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Mymoneymatters - exclusive webinar for MFT colleagues, students, and volunteers