Benefits and support for your household

  1. Eligibility
  2. Help applying for benefits and completing forms
  1. Help with other costs
  2. Money and debt advice

3. Help with other costs

Here are some other kinds of costs you may be able to get help with:

Childcare

Find out about help with childcare costs.

School uniform

Contact your child's school to to find out what help is available with school uniforms from the school or local charities. 

You can also check what financial support is available from your local district council on their website.

If you meet the criteria, you may qualify for help with school clothing costs but this is only offered in very exceptional circumstances.

Free school meals

Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get certain benefits.

School transport

Your child may be able to get free transport to school, depending on how far the walk is, or if your family is on a low income.

If your child is not entitled to free transport, you could still save money with a school bus season ticket if your child travels on a contracted school bus provided by the county council.

You can find out about help with transport costs on the governments help for households website.

Bus passes

You may be able to get a bus pass for concessionary fares if you are an older person or if you’re disabled. In Lancashire this is called a NoWcard.

£2 single bus fare

From 1 January 2023 until 31 October 2023 our bus services will offer a maximum fare of just £2 for any single journey and then £2.50 until November 2024.

Find out more on the bus tickets page.

Cheaper broadband and phone packages

If you are claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you may qualify for cheaper broadband and phone packages through a social tariff. Some providers call them 'essential' or 'basic' broadband.

See the Ofcom website for more information.

Mobile data

The National Databank provides free mobile data to people who have no or insufficient access to the internet.

If you have an O2 mobile, you can get 7GB of data this Christmas. For more information and to get your voucher code, visit the O2 website.

Shelter - Independent housing advice

United Utilities WaterSure scheme

If you have a water meter and receive benefits, and use a lot of water due to ill health or having a large family, you may qualify for WaterSure.

The WaterSure scheme caps your annual bill, regardless of how much water you use.

See the United Utilities website for more information.

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Benefits and financial help