Help with the cost of living

Many companies offer discounted broadband rates for low-income households, known as social tariffs.  Rates start from £10 per month and the two biggest providers are BT and Virgin Media, among others. You can find more information about this scheme from Money Saving Expert here.

There’s lots of tips and tricks to bag yourself discounted or free food from restaurants, supermarkets, and even fast-food chains.  Money Saving Expert have put together a guide to eating and drinking out for free, apps to find free and discounted food, and how to get paid for dining out. You can find out more information here. 

You can boost your income by using cashback sites when you shop online, and if you use them properly, you can make hundreds of extra pounds per year.  Money Saving Expert have put together a guide outlining how cashback sites work, rules to follow, and popular websites to use. You can check out their guide here. 

Thames Water - WaterHelp scheme

If you’re a Thames Water customer you may be eligible for their WaterHelp scheme. This scheme can help if your water bill is a large proportion of your household income. This may be due to having a high water bill due to a large family, or that you are on a low income. 

Eligibility for WaterHelp

If your bill is more than 5% of your net income, you may be eligible for WaterHelp. This is also dependent on the number of occupants at the property.

They’re currently offering a 50% discount on your bill if you qualify. This amount may change in the future. In order to qualify, they'll need to check your details and verify your income.

You can apply over the phone Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm on  0800 980 8800.

To find out more about the scheme visit: https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/account-and-billing/financial-support/waterhelp

WaterSure scheme

You may also be eligible for a water rate reduction under the WaterSure scheme.

To qualify for the WaterSure scheme, you need to:

• be on a water meter or have applied for one and be waiting for it to be installed, or be paying an assessed charge because it's not possible to fit a meter at your property.  
• be on certain benefits.
• have a high essential use of water due to disability or having more than three school-aged children in the property.

You need to contact your water company directly to benefit from this scheme, but you can get more information here.

Many of the larger energy suppliers offer grants to support those who are struggling to pay.

You can find more information on the grants and who’s eligible from Citizens Advice. 

Switching to a new deal on your mobile phones, insurance and broadband contracts may save you money. The Money Saving Expert website offers free comparison guides, showing you how to get the best prices available.

Our online Better Off Calculator allows you to check whether you’re accessing all of the benefits and grants you’re entitled to, and if you applied for them, how much better off you might be, plus it gives you access to helpful budgeting advice. 

Give the Better off Calculator a try here and see if you could be better off.

Some simple changes to the way you and the members of your household use energy may save you money over the course of the year.

Take a look at Groundwork’s website here for useful energy-saving tips and advice. 

If the rising cost of groceries is making it difficult to afford your food bills, you can find your local food bank here.

If you’re a Moat customer and need a voucher to access your local food bank, our Moat Foundation team can provide one. Please email moat.foundation@moat.co.uk and a member of our team will get in touch. 

Your local authority may also offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays or signpost you to other organisations that can help you.