Help paying bills

Council tax support

If you have savings of less than £6,000 (or £16,000 if you're a pensioner) you might be entitled to council tax support. To work out how much you might get you can use our online benefit calculator.

If you do qualify for help you can make a council tax support claim online.

Exceptional hardship award

If you're already getting council tax support but you still need help you might be able to get an exceptional hardship award. There are restrictions on how much you can get and payments are only a short-term measure. Find out more about exceptional hardship awards.

Pay by instalments

If you have savings over £6,000 or you don't get council tax support but you can't pay your bill, you can ask to spread your payments over 12 months instead of the normal 10. Contact us to change your council tax instalments.

Payment plans

If you owe council tax you can set up an arrangement to pay what you owe - for example, £20 a month. Make a payment plan for council tax.

Warm homes scheme

The warm homes scheme can give you up to £150 off your energy bill each year.

Cold weather payments

If you get certain benefits - like pension credit or income support - and the temperature is zero or below for more than seven days you can get £25 extra a week.

Find out more about cold weather payments

Heating grants

If you receive a means tested or disability benefit - like income support or disability living allowance - you might be able to get a grant to help with your heating costs. 

GOV.UK also have advice on things you can do that will make your home cheaper to heat.

Water bills

If you need help paying water bills you should speak to your water supplier first. You might be able to get a discounted rate if you live alone or you might be eligible for the WaterSure scheme that caps how much you pay.

Winter fuel payments

Winter Fuel Payments are being means tested from 2025. To get this benefit, you need to apply for Pension Credit.

Green Doctor has advice on saving energy, keeping warm and reducing your household bills.

Ofcom have advice on how you can get cheaper phone bills or broadband.

Necessary Furniture offers low-cost second hand furniture and white goods, such as beds and washing machines.

Maya’s Community Support Centre Free Shop offers free clothes, toys, household goods and electrics, open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

The Whitstable Non Ecclesiastical Society supports families and people living alone with small one-off grants for essential items. You can contact them on 01227 769 939.

Community Clothes Bank offers clothing parcels, £1 shopping events, pop-ups and clothes rails in community hubs and cafes.

Magic Wardrobe based in Whitstable offers free clothes for people of all ages.

Maya’s Community Support Centre Free Shop offers free clothes, toys, household goods and electrics, open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 3pm.

Whitstable Community Wardrobe recycles school uniforms for schools in Whitstable and Herne Bay. You can call them on 01227 275 923 for more details.