How to Get Help With Bills: Resources

| 8 min read Financial Assistance

One unexpected emergency can wreak havoc on your finances, wiping out your savings and leaving you with piles of unpaid bills. Thankfully, there are not-for-profit and government programmes as well as crowdfunding resources that can help you overcome financial setbacks. We’ve compiled the best resources that can help you understand how to get help with bills and get back on your feet.

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Government assistance with bills

Depending on your situation, government programmes can be a lifeline while you get back on track. Federal and state programmes offer assistance for everything from mortgage payments to phone bills.

Government help with utility bills

It can be easy to fall behind on monthly utility bills, especially in the winter months when the weather is the most extreme. The following government programmes can make sure you have a safe and comfortable home.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a £150 one-off discount to your energy bill, opening in October. You may be eligible for this if you have a low income and high energy costs. 

Cold Weather Payment

Cold weather payments are £25 for each day of a seven day period of very cold weather recorded in your area. You may be eligible if you’re getting certain benefits. 

Winter Heating Payment 

The Winter Heating Payment – based in Scotland only – is a one off payment of around £58 paid to people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs. It’s paid automatically once a year. 

Household Support Fund

The Household Support Fund is operated by local councils and may be able to help with the cost of food, essential items and energy and water bills. It is aimed at anyone who is vulnerable and can’t pay for essentials. 

Government help with housing costs

These government programmes are designed to eliminate the financial barriers that prevent families from having a safe and affordable place to call home. You can read more about getting help with your rent on our blog here.

Discretionary Housing Payments

Discretionary Housing Payments are payments from the Government to provide support with either rent or housing costs. You might get it if you need to cover a rent shortfall, deposits or rent in advance if you’re moving home. 

Universal Credit

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit, you may be able to get more money to help towards housing costs. This might go towards rent to a private landlord, rent to a local authority or service charges if you own the property you’re in. 

Charities that help with bills

There are many charities eager to help out if you’ve fallen on hard times. Below are some of the most well known not-for-profit organisations that can help you pay medical bills or find safe housing. There’s also the Citizens Advice Bureau can also advise on where to get help paying your bills, too. 

Charities that help with utility bills

A brightly lit home and running water are conveniences that are easy to take for granted until they’re suddenly gone. If you need help with utility bills, consider one of these programmes.

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army can help you if you’re desperately in need of assistance. This might be because you are unemployed, suffering benefit delays or dealing with illness. They may be able to help with things like food parcels. 

Turn2Us

Charity Turn2Us may be able to help with their charitable fund if you are struggling to pay your electricity or water bills. There’s specific winter grants, but also grants to buy things like white goods. 

Charities that help with transportation costs

For millions of people in the UK, a reliable vehicle allows them to travel to work, visit family members and go to doctors appointments. Without a car, everyday life can screech to a halt. These charities specifically help individuals and families get from point A to point B safely. If you’re having problems with your car, you can also look at our blog on car repairs for more support. 

Age UK

If you’re an older person struggling to get around, Age UK might be able to help. They work alongside other community organisations to provide door to door transport services for those in need. 

Family Fund

Family Fund helps the families of disabled or seriously ill children. You may be eligible for a mobility grant if you have a child under three who is seriously ill or disabled and would benefit from access to a car. 

Motability Foundation

The Motability Foundation offers grants to disabled people so they can make journeys. If you’re disabled, you might be able to get help with driving lessons, for example.

Charities that help with housing costs

In the UK, there are plenty of charities who can offer advice over issues like housing and rent to help you break the cycle of stress in that area. We’ve listed several of them below. 

Shelter

If you’re struggling to pay your rent and are renting privately, Shelter can offer advice on where you could turn to to alleviate the issue. You can view the options they suggest here and also contact them for advice if you need.

StepChange

If you’ve missed rent payments and are now in rent arrears, StepChange can advise on how to manage these arrears and get back on track. 

Using crowdfunding to pay bills

Emergencies like car accidents or devastating house fires can wipe out your savings account and leave you with bills for years to come. Countless people have launched emergency fundraising efforts through GoFundMe when they didn’t know how to get help paying bills.

Crowdfunding lets you raise money from your friends, family and community online. While some people aren’t sure if their need is worthy enough for an online fundraiser, there is no cause too small or too big for GoFundMe.

Why fundraising makes a difference

Most government and not-for-profit programmes have strict eligibility requirements, long waiting times and a capped amount of money they can offer. These factors often make it difficult to receive the financial help you need, right when you need it. Online fundraising is often the quickest and most efficient way to conquer mounting bills and find emergency financial assistance. Through GoFundMe, you can start fundraising right away and receive your donations within just a few days.

Setting up a GoFundMe takes just a few minutes and we make it easy to share your fundraiser with people who can rally around you. We also offer a fundraising platform, which means you can keep more of your donations.

Tips for running a successful fundraiser

Once you’ve launched your GoFundMe, you’ll probably be focused on hitting your fundraising goals. The below fundraising tips will help you create a fundraiser that encourages people to donate.

See how others use GoFundMe to pay bills

When unfortunate circumstances left them in dire straits, these people found help through crowdfunding.

Support a family in need

Stephen, from Wales, is awaiting a heart transplant in London. He, his partner Linzi and their son wanted to stay as close together as possible, so they are living in a hotel nearby. The family are struggling with the situation emotionally but also financially, so Linzi’s friend started this GoFundMe to try and alleviate some of the financial stress on them all during this already taxing time. 

Help Niki with funeral and bills

Niki’s husband Mike passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. They had a young daughter and Niki is also pregnant with twins, leaving her in a stressful situation. Her friend Yana started this fundraiser to alleviate some of the financial pressure on Niki, helping to pay for funeral costs. 

Find financial relief right now

Becoming debt doesn’t need to take months or years when you can start raising funds for bills right away through crowdfunding. If you still need emergency help with bills after exploring government and charity programmes, GoFundMe can allow you to find financial stability.

Start a GoFundMe

Written by dina