List all your regular bills and spending, you need to make your budget plan realistic. Everyone will have a different budget, and you need to include any extra costs you have because of circumstances, for example a disability.
Below are some ways you might be able to reduce your outgoings:
For things like Council Tax, gas, electric, car insurance and water you can ask to pay over as many instalments as possible within the financial year. Increasing the number of instalments can reduce the amount you pay as you are paying over a longer period.
If you are billed annually, quarterly and struggle to make payment, you can ask your supplier if you can pay in weekly, fortnightly or monthly to make payments easier.
You may be able to get a discount or exemption from Council Tax if:
More information on Council Tax discounts and exemptions.
If you live in property that is larger than you need, you may want to consider moving to a smaller home with lower rent and running costs.
The amount you receive from Universal Credit or Housing Benefit towards your rent may be reduced if you have any spare bedrooms, this is known as the bedroom tax or under-occupation reduction.
Council or Housing Association tenants could be given a higher priority for rehousing, call Homechoice on 0118 937 2172 or visit our Homechoice page for more information.
Reading Borough Council tenants may get help with moving costs, contact our Under Occupation and Transfer Officer on 0118 937 2192 for more information on the Tenant Incentive Scheme.
You may be able to reduce your costs by:
*check you won’t have to pay cancellation fees for leaving your contract early
You may be able to reduce your costs by changing to a social tariff for broadband and phone services if you claim universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits.
Find out more information about the social tariffs available for broadband and phones.
Energy tariffs normally last 12 months, after this you could be automatically put on a standard tariff that often costs you more.
You may be able to reduce your costs by:
Reading Borough Council has a scheme called ‘Winter Watch’ that runs through the autumn and winter. This is available to Reading residents on low incomes, have young children, are over 60, have a disability/health condition or have not lived independently before. You can contact Winter Watch for advice and support on 0118 937 3747.
Find out more about Winter Watch.
Requesting a water meter may help to reduce your bill, Thames Water can advise you if a water meter would reduce your bill or not. For more information or request a meter visit Thames Water’s website or call Thames Water on 0800 980 8800. If a meter cannot be installed, your tariff might be changed to save you money instead.
Thames Water has a number of ways to help some customers on low incomes with their water bill.
You now need to pay toward your debts for support and pay consistently for two years to qualify for financial assistance to clear any remaining liability after this time.
To qualify, you’ll need to:
You won’t qualify if you:
Thames Water also has a scheme called WaterHelp that puts eligible customers on a reduced tariff that could reduce your bill by 50%. This was previously known as WaterSure Plus until March 2020. You should qualify if your gross yearly household income is less than £17,005 before any deductions.
Thames Water information on WaterHelp.
Thames Water also has a scheme called WaterSure that can cap your bills, if you are on a water meter but find it hard to save water because you have a large family or water-dependent medical condition. They will use the average price based on what other customers pay to calculate your bill. For this year (2022/23), they will cap your bills at £423. If you already use less, you’ll keep paying less.
To qualify for WaterSure someone in your household:
You can find out more information about WaterSure and WaterHelp schemes or call Thames Water on 0800 009 3652.
Thames Water’s advice if you’re struggling to pay your bill.
You may be able to reduce your costs by:
You could also consider online shopping as it will cut down on your travel costs. You will also be made aware of special offers relevant to you.
You may be able to get help with your health-related costs if you are on a low income and claim some income-based benefits or tax credits. Find more information about NHS advice on help with health costs.
If you have a low income and have capital of under £16,000, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). You could also call 0300 330 1343.
You should qualify for help with your health costs if you:
If you pay for your prescriptions you may save money by buying an NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC). It costs £30.25 for three months or £108.10 for 12 months (or 10 Direct Debit instalments of £10.81), no matter how many you need. More information on prescription prepayment certificates.
You may be able to get help with your child’s school related costs for uniforms, equipment and trips through the Pupil Premium scheme.
You should contact your child’s school to ask if you can receive any financial assistance with these costs.
Find out more about Pupil Premium.
If you travel on Reading Buses regularly, you may be able to reduce your public transport costs. Find out more about buying advance fares that include weekly, monthly or saver 10s bus tickets. You can find out more about this online at www.reading-buses.co.uk/smartcard-fares.
You may also be able to receive help with transport costs if you:
Find out more information about help with other transport costs online.
You can receive support to help you reduce or stop smoking from Smoke Free Life Berkshire or you can call them on 800 622 6360 or text ‘QUIT’ to 66777.
You can get support from national alcohol support services to help you reduce or stop drinking alcohol from Drink Aware.
You can get advice from your doctor on reducing or stopping drinking alcohol. If you think you have a drinking problem or are experiencing any of the related symptoms of alcohol dependence, please contact your doctor or call NHS 111 as soon as you can.