Benefits available
Are you claiming all the benefits you should be?
Check what you could be entitled to
Help with debt
For general advice, visit the debt advice page on our website.
Worried about which bills to pay first?
The Money Helper website will help you prioritise and get hints and tips on managing your bills.
Tips on how to prioritise managing your bills
Emergency assistance
Support may be given to people who, in an emergency situation, do not have the resources to meet the basic needs of themselves or their family and who:
- Have a local connection (see below)
- Are over 16 years old
- Don’t have access to sufficient income, savings or credit
- Have not had an award of this kind in the last 12 months
Blackpool discretionary support scheme
Help with childcare costs
You may be eligible to get tax-free childcare.
Families receive up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year) per child, or £1,000 (£4,000 a year) if their child is disabled, helping towards the cost of after-school clubs, play schemes, childminders, nurseries and nannies.
Check if you are eligible to receive tax-free childcare.
Pension Credit
Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. Pension Credit can also help with housing costs such as ground rent or service charges.
You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person.
Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension.
You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.
To get more information or support with applying for pension credit, telephone the helpline on 0800 99 1234 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm).
Other links
Government help for households
The government has produced a useful guide to cost-of-living support, including:
- Energy saving tips
- Energy bills
- Household costs
- Childcare costs
- Income support
- Travel costs
Visit the Help for households website for more information
Help with prescriptions
There is a low income help scheme run by the NHS. You do not have to be claiming benefits to apply. If you're employed with a low income you may be eligible for help. The NHS will take your total household income, Council Tax and housing costs into account.
You must be at least one of the following and the application will look :
- A pensioner
- A student
- Earning a wage
- Receiving state benefits
- Living in a care home
If you are not eligible but need regular prescriptions then you could apply for a pre-payment certificate
Broadband
If you are on benefits you may be due cheap, long-term 'social tariffs'