Millions of people in the UK are paying more than they need to for their water, broadband and energy bills.
Not because cheaper deals do not exist. They do.
But because nobody told them to ask.
The National Audit Office looked into this earlier in 2026. They found that only one in three people who qualified for cheaper broadband knew about it. Less than four in ten struggling water customers knew help was available.
This guide covers the main household bill discounts 2026 has to offer, from cheaper broadband and water tariffs to energy and council support.
If you are on benefits or finding bills hard to manage, this guide is for you.
It will take you ten minutes to read. Acting on it could save you hundreds of pounds a year.
🟦 Jump to what matters most to you:
Broadband and Phone | Water | Energy | Council Help | Winter Payments | Get Help With Debt | Action Plan
Broadband and Phone
Could you qualify for half-price broadband or less?
If you or someone in your household receives Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you may qualify for a cheaper broadband social tariff.
It is not a special deal or a promotion. It is a permanently lower price for the same service. Prices start from around £10 a month. Most give you unlimited broadband at normal speeds. Eligibility varies between providers so it is worth checking directly with yours.
Other benefits that may qualify you:
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Support
Some providers accept additional benefits too. Do not assume you will not qualify before you check.
What to do right now:
Go to the Ofcom social tariff list at ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs and find your provider.
If they offer a social tariff, call them today and ask to switch. Tell them which benefit you receive. If your existing provider offers a social tariff, Ofcom says you can switch to it free of charge with no exit penalty.
Check your mobile and landline too. Social tariffs are available for phone contracts as well as home broadband. Same eligibility rules may apply depending on your provider.
Water
Every water company in England and Wales has a cheaper tariff. Most people never ask.
Your water company has a scheme to reduce bills for people on low incomes. Every single one does. But the amount of help and who qualifies varies between companies.
The quickest way to find out what you’re entitled to is to check your water company’s website or call and ask.
When you call, ask about all of these:
Social tariff. A reduced rate on your bill if you are on a qualifying benefit or low income.
WaterSure. If you have a water meter and meet the eligibility rules, this scheme can cap how much you are charged for water. It is available to households on income-related benefits where there is high essential water use, including because of certain medical needs or having a larger family.
Hardship fund. Some water companies will grant money to help clear water debt. Not a loan. A grant.
Debt reduction scheme. If you stick to a payment plan, some companies will reduce the debt itself over time.
Payment break. If you are going through a tough period, a short break from payments may be possible.
Do not just ask about one. Ask about all of them in one call.
Find your water company’s schemes: ccw.org.uk/save-money-and-water/help-with-bills
Energy
There is no social tariff for gas and electricity yet. But there is still help.
Unlike broadband and water, energy companies do not currently offer social tariffs. That may change but for now the support works differently.
Looking for ways to cut your heating costs in the meantime? See our guide: Best Smart Thermostats for UK Homes
Still wondering why your heating bill is so high? See the 11 thermostat mistakes that could be quietly wasting energy.
The Warm Home Discount
If you receive a qualifying benefit, you could get £150 taken directly off your electricity bill this winter.
Qualifying benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and income-related Employment and Support Allowance.
Most eligible households get it automatically. The scheme opens again in October 2026.
Check if you qualify at gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.
Struggling to pay your energy bill?
Call your supplier. Tell them you are struggling. Then ask specifically:
“What hardship funds or affordable repayment plans do you have available?”
You may be entitled to more than bill support. See our guide to UK Home Energy Grants 2026 for help with heating, insulation and other home-energy upgrades.
Do not wait until the debt is unmanageable. The earlier you call, the more options you have.
People on repayment plans owe on average £1,000 less than people in debt who never made contact. That figure comes directly from the National Audit Office.
Priority Services Register
Free to join. For people who may need extra support from their energy and water supplier, including those with a disability, a health condition, those who rely on medical equipment, or who have young children at home.
You may receive additional support during outages and help with communication and accessibility needs. The exact support varies by supplier and network.
Register with each supplier separately. It costs nothing and takes five minutes.
Find out more at thepsr.co.uk.
Energy UK’s full list of supplier support schemes: energy-uk.org.uk/customers/support-with-energy-bills
Council Help
The Household Support Fund has been replaced. Most people do not know yet.
From April 2026, the Household Support Fund was replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund.
It runs until March 2029. For this year alone, £858 million has been allocated to local councils in England to help households with financial difficulty.
Every council decides how to use the money. Some offer food vouchers, utility bill help or direct grants.
To find out what your council is offering, search:
[your council name] Crisis and Resilience Fund
Or go straight to your council’s website and look for cost of living help.
Winter Payments
If you were born on or before 27 June 1960, you may get between £100 and £300 this winter.
The Winter Fuel Payment goes to most people of eligible age automatically. You do not need to apply.
One thing to know: if your total income is over £35,000, HMRC will claw back the payment through your tax. Scotland has its own separate scheme.
Check your eligibility at gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment.
Get Help With Debt
If you are already behind on bills, do not try to handle it alone. These organisations offer free, independent advice with no judgement.
| Who | Phone | For |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Advice | 0808 223 1133 | General bill and energy advice |
| National Debtline | 0808 808 4000 | Free debt advice |
| StepChange | 0800 138 1111 | Free debt advice |
| Age UK | 0808 800 6565 | Support for older people |
| Scope | 0808 800 3333 | Disability-specific advice |
| Advice Direct Scotland | 0808 800 9060 | Scotland |
All free. All confidential.
Watch Out for Scams
Any time there is money on offer, scammers follow.
If you get an unexpected text, email or phone call telling you about a grant, rebate or refund and asking for your bank details or a payment, ignore it.
No legitimate scheme will contact you out of the blue asking for money to access support.
Report scams to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.
Household Bill Discounts 2026: Your Ten-Minute Action Plan
Work through each one in order. Do not skip any before checking.
One. Broadband.
Go to ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs. Find your provider. If they offer a social tariff and you receive a qualifying benefit, call and ask to switch today.
Two. Water.
Call your water company. Ask about their social tariff, WaterSure, and any hardship or debt support schemes. Do all three in one call.
Three. Energy.
Check your Warm Home Discount eligibility at gov.uk. If you are struggling to pay, call your supplier today and ask what support is available.
Four. Council.
Search your council name plus Crisis and Resilience Fund to find local help.
Five. Priority Services Register.
If you or someone in your household has a health condition, disability or young children, register with your energy and water suppliers today. Free and takes five minutes.
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Last checked: 22 September 2026. Support schemes, eligibility rules and tariffs can change. Always confirm the latest details with your supplier, regulator or GOV.UK before applying.
Sources
- Ofcom, Social tariffs: ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/saving-money/social-tariffs
- Consumer Council for Water: ccw.org.uk/save-money-and-water/help-with-bills
- GOV.UK, Warm Home Discount: gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
- GOV.UK, Crisis and Resilience Fund: gov.uk/government/publications/crisis-and-resilience-fund-guidance
- GOV.UK, Winter Fuel Payment: gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
- Energy UK, Support with energy bills: energy-uk.org.uk/customers/support-with-energy-bills
- Priority Services Register: thepsr.co.uk
- National Audit Office, Bill debt report, June 2026
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Reviewed by The Thermo Expert Team
The Thermo Expert Team researches and compares smart thermostats, heating systems, and common HVAC issues to provide clear, practical advice for homeowners. Our content is based on manufacturer documentation, real user experiences, and industry research to help you understand problems quickly and choose the right solution with confidence.