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Managing household bills

The cost of living is on the rise. If you are finding money a worry, find out more about the support available to help you manage your household bills.

Getting help with energy bills

You may find you're spending more on everyday essentials like heating costs. We have information and advice to give you the support you need.

Juan and his wife are reading cancer information.

Help with energy costs

If you are experiencing difficulties paying your energy bills, whether they are gas, electricity or water bills, you can speak to our energy advisers. They can give you simple advice about available government payments and charity schemes you might be entitled to.

Call the free Macmillan Support Line on 0800 808 00 00. Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

You might also be able to get help by joining the Priority Services Register. This is a free support service designed to give priority help to people who need it most. Find out more about getting this extra support from your energy supplier.

Useful contacts for energy advice

Citizen's Advice Bureau - your energy supplier
Energy Saving Trust - energy at home
Ofgem - energy advice for households

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Help with other household bills and costs

You may be able to get help with certain costs if you are having difficulty paying your bills.

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Food

Households have seen an increase in the price of everyday food items. Read our blog on eating well, cancer and cost of living.

Learn how you can save money with the BBC's tips on budget meal planning.
You can also find out what help is available from the food banks in your area.
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. Learn more about the Healthy Start Scheme.

Steven is reading a cancer information leaflet. A laptop is open on his lap.

Healthcare

You may be able to get assistance with health costs when you have cancer. This can include help with prescriptions, wigs and fabric supports, dental and eye treatment.

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Childcare

If you have cancer, you may need extra help with children’s costs. Find out more about benefits and help with childcare and education costs.

More information about money

Cost of living and understanding benefits
Cost of living and emotional support
Cost effective ways to keep warm
Help with housing costs
Support with homelessness

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5 things you can do if you are worried about paying your bills

In the videos below our Macmillan financial guides share information to help support you with the financial impacts of cancer. The playlist covers Macmillan's financial guides service, mortgage payments, life insurance, travel insurance and power of attorney.

Check if you can get extra help or money

The Money Saving Expert has lots of cost-saving tips and advice.

You can also use our benefits calculator to find out which benefits you may be entitled to if you have cancer.

If you are terminally ill, you can apply for some benefits using a fast-track process called special rules.

Ask your local council about help with the cost of living

Get in touch with your council to see if you can get help with council tax, support for rent or essential items, such as food or clothes. You can find out how to contact your local council on the GOV.UK website.

Speak to your water and energy supplier

If you are having difficulties paying your water, gas and electric bills contact your suppliers.

They should work with you to review and agree a payment plan. This may include payment breaks or access to hardship funds.

If you are worried about paying your energy bills, we have support available. Read our blog for advice about getting help with energy bills and saving money.

If you have a mortgage, ask your provider for help

As interest rates change you might be finding it hard to keep on top of your monthly payments. Get in touch with your bank or building society to see how they can support you.

You might be able to reduce your payments by extending the term of your mortgage or they might let you make interest-only payments for a while.

The government is working with banks and building societies to do more to help households struggling to afford rising mortgage costs.

It is important to prioritise managing any debts

If you need help with debt, it is important to get specialist advice. Organisations that can help include:

Your bank can help to give you personalised budgeting advice. For example, Nationwide provides a range of cost of living support to its customers.
StepChange Debt Charity
National Debtline (England, Scotland and Wales)
Advice NI (Northern Ireland).

Do you need help with the costs of cancer?

Get help with money

Cancer and its treatments can bring extra costs and worry. Whatever your circumstances, there is support available. Answer a few questions to get the advice you need.

Find support

We are here for you

If you're worried about money and you need someone to talk to, we're here to listen.

Talk to our Cancer Information and Support Specialists

Our Cancer Information and Support Specialists can help you find the right emotional support and practical information.

Call the Macmillan Support Line on 0800 808 00 00
Chat to a specialist online.
They are available to speak to 7 days a week, 8am-8pm.

Our Financial guides and Energy advisors are available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Our Welfare rights advisers are also available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, as well as 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sundays. Learn more about our Macmillan Support Line and the types of help they offer.

Talk to other people with cancer on our Online Community

The Macmillan Online Community has dedicated cost of living forums where you can speak to others and ask our experts. Join our cancer forums and chat anonymously to others who understand what you are going through.

Find out about the different ways we can help

About our information

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been approved by Macmillan’s Welfare Rights team.

Our cancer information has been awarded the PIF TICK. Created by the Patient Information Forum, this quality mark shows we meet PIF’s 10 criteria for trustworthy health information. Learn more about how we produce our information.