Ways to pay less

Anyone who claims Universal Credit, or lives with someone who does, can get any tariff on Ofcom's list. All major providers also accept Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance and Income Support. The person getting the benefit must be the main person on the contract.

Ask your current provider if it has a social tariff, online or by phone. If it does not, you can move to a provider that does. Your current provider might let you leave your contract without a fee, but this is not guaranteed.

England and Wales: on 23 August 2026 your supplier was part of the scheme, you or your partner got Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit, and your name or your partner's name was on the electricity bill. Scotland has its own groups, and some people there must apply. It is not available in Northern Ireland.

In England and Wales you usually do not need to do anything: your supplier takes it off your electricity bill. In Scotland, if you do not get it automatically, apply to your electricity supplier. The money is not paid to you in cash.

You pay Council Tax and either live on your own, or everyone else in your home is not counted. People not counted include under 18s, full-time students, student nurses, some apprentices, people who are severely mentally impaired, and live-in carers for someone who is not their partner or child. If everyone in the home is not counted, the discount is 50%.

Apply to your local council. It does not happen by itself. If you get a discount you are not entitled to, you must tell the council.

Free licence: you are 75 or older and you or a partner you live with get Pension Credit. Half price: you are registered blind or live with someone who is, and the licence is in the blind person's name. A £7.50 licence is available in some care homes and sheltered housing.

Apply on the TV Licensing website. You can apply for the free licence when you are 74 if you already get Pension Credit.

Everyone in England, Scotland and Wales on a standard variable (default) tariff. It does not cover fixed tariffs.

Nothing to apply for. If you are on a default tariff it applies automatically. Your bill still depends on how much energy you use.

People who have reached state pension age, are pregnant or have young children, struggle with speaking or reading English, live with a disability or long-term medical condition, or whose circumstances have recently changed, for example after a hospital stay, a bereavement or losing a job.

Contact your energy supplier and your network operator, online, in writing or by phone. If you have different gas and electricity suppliers, contact each one, and ask to join again if you switch.

It depends on the card: your age (16-17, 16-25, 26-30, or 60 and over), a disability, having served in the Armed Forces, travelling as a pair, travelling with children, or travelling in London and the South East.

Buy online at railcard.co.uk. You need a photo and, for most cards, proof of age or eligibility. Most cards can also be bought at a staffed station ticket office. The 26-30 Railcard is only sold online.