Discounts and grants
If you, or the person you care for, need extra financial help there are many grants, funds & charities that may be able to help.
Essential Living Fund
The Essential Living Fund (ELF) is primarily intended to help vulnerable people live as independent a life as possible in the community.
Essential Living Fund - Southend-on-Sea City Council
Help for households
See what support is available to help with the cost of living and save money with our energy saving tips.
Warm Homes Discount
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
The money is not paid to you - it's a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between October 2023 and 31 March 2024. This discount is automatically applied if you are eligible, you will receive a letter by early January 2024. If you do not get a letter and you think you are eligible you must contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme before the 29 February 2024.
The Warm Homes Discount Scheme
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
You could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing your heating system with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
To apply you must own the property you're applying for (this includes a business premises, second homes or a property you rent out to tenants), have installed or plan to install a new heating system after 1 April 2022 and will be replacing a fossil fuel system (such as gas, oil or electric).
Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) - help to make energy-saving home improvements
If you are on a low income and living in a home that is off the gas grid you may be able to get help with making energy-saving improvements to your home.