Cost of living support
Cost of living support
Support with your bills
Support with your bills

GOV.UK – Support with your bills
Find out how the Energy Price Guarantee limits your energy prices, support with Council Tax, apply for a Budgeting Loan if you’re claiming benefits, and more.
Essex County Council – Helping you with the cost of living
Check what benefits and financial support you can get, find out about the Cost of Living Payment, apply for Universal Credit, and more.
Apply for energy bill support if you do not get it automatically
Households who have not yet received their £400 energy bills support can now apply online for the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF). Use this service to apply for the £400 discount if you do not get it automatically.
This support is for households who do not have a direct relationship to a domestic energy supplier, as they do not have a domestic energy contract.
Apply for alternative fuel bill support if you do not get it automatically
Most households will automatically get a £200 Alternative Fuels Payment (AFP) if they use alternative fuels for most of their heating, such as liquid petroleum gas (LPG), oil or solid fuel and are connected to the electricity grid.
If you do not get it automatically, use this service to apply for £200 support to help pay for alternative fuels.
Essential Living Fund
The Essential Living Fund can help pay for furniture, household furnishings, clothing and footwear and general living expenses. You must live in Essex and can apply through Southend Borough Council
Local Council Tax Support
Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) is provided to people on low incomes to help with their Council Tax bill.
Epping Community Hub
The Epping Community Hub is a one-stop shop for residents to access a wide range of services for help and advice.
Epping Forest Foodbank
Provides emergency food parcels to people who live in or near the Epping Forest district who have been referred to them by Frontline care.