Meeting essential expenses on a small budget

A broken boiler, a school uniform, a dental bill, a fridge that stops working: on a small budget, ordinary costs can turn into emergencies. The guides in this section take one essential expense at a time and explain how people on low incomes can meet it, starting with grants, discounts and protections and only then looking at credit as a last resort.

Housing costs

Rent, deposits, moving costs and repairs are often the largest and most urgent bills. Tenants have legal protections and councils run schemes to prevent homelessness, so contact them early rather than borrowing to stay afloat. Our guides cover help paying monthly rent, overdue rent, eviction prevention, rental deposits and urgent home repairs.

Energy and water

Electricity, gas, heating oil and water bills come with their own safety nets: social tariffs, supplier hardship funds, priority registers and rules on disconnection. Knowing these rules helps you decide which bill to pay first when you cannot pay them all. Start with help with electricity bills or the water bill guide in the list below.

Health

Prescription charges, dental treatment, glasses and hearing aids can be reduced or free for people on certain benefits or low incomes. Each page explains which schemes apply and how to claim before you pay. Keep proof of your benefits or income to hand, because pharmacists, dentists and opticians usually ask for it, and claiming a refund later is harder than claiming at the time.

Transport and getting to work

Fuel, car repairs, insurance and public transport can decide whether you keep a job. Employers, job centres and local schemes sometimes help with travel costs, especially when starting work.

Appliances, furniture and clothing

A cooker, fridge, washing machine or bed is not a luxury. Local welfare funds, charities and reuse projects often provide these items directly, which is far cheaper than rent-to-own or catalogue credit. See help with household appliances for the main routes.

Children and family emergencies

School costs, childcare, baby essentials and unexpected family events such as a funeral each have dedicated support, from free school meals to funeral payments for people on qualifying benefits.

Before you borrow

If no help covers the cost, compare credit union loans and interest-free schemes before any high-cost lender, and check the APR and total repayable. If debts are already building, our guide to urgent debt repayments explains how free advice can ease the pressure. Never pay an upfront fee to anyone offering a loan. Pick the expense you are facing from the list below.