financial support and grants

here's how we can help you

We know that life has ups and downs – but it’s not the ups that keep awake at night. It’s our mission to take the edge off. If UK bill increases and money worries are weighing on you, we’re here to help lighten the load. Here’s the support you can start applying for today.

energy cost payment

Keeping your home at a reasonable temperature is good for your health and your wellbeing but as energy costs are rising, you might find it too expensive to heat or cool your home. Our energy costs payment is a fixed sum of £500 to help pay your gas, oil, electric and other energy bills. This is on top of any other payment from the government. If you’re living outside the UK, it can also be used towards air conditioning, batteries and generators.

back-to-school payment

Getting your children ready for a new school year can be expensive. Our back-to-school discretionary donation is a fixed sum to help cover these costs. The money can be used to buy school uniform, shoes, PE kits and other school essentials. Applications are open from May-October.

reduced ICAEW subscriptions

We know that keeping your ICAEW membership is really important for both personal and professional reasons, but it might be challenging to pay it even at a reduced rate. We can provide a donation to cover this cost, and can pay it directly to the ICAEW for you.

We also offer a range of financial support for students, making sure you’re supported right from the start of your career journey.

essential living expenses

f you’ve experienced a sudden change in your situation that means you’re no longer able to pay your essential bills, we can help. Our short-term grants can cover essential living expenses, including mortgage and rental payments, to give you the time and space you need to adjust and adapt.

your home and appliances

Costs around your home can emerge unexpectedly, whether a key appliance is no longer working or you need essential repairs. If your insurance is unable to help, please get in touch as we may be able to assist with a repair or replacement.

other grants and donations

We can help with financial assistance in many other ways, including car repairs, mobility aids, funeral costs, care home top-up fees and adapting your home to make it more accessible. One of our friendly Support Officers will be happy to explore your needs.

discover our financial tools

Explore our range of financial tools that can help put your money worries at ease.

50-30-20 calculator

This 50-30-20 calculator splits your take-home monthly income into suggested spending in three areas: necessities, wants and savings.

grants search tool

Use our handy calculator to find out which UK grants are available to you, based on your financial situation.

benefits calculator

This benefits calculator is supplied by Turn2us, a free, independent service which helps people access the money available to them – through welfare benefits, grants and other help.

pension calculator

Use MoneyHelper’s pension calculator to find out how much you need in retirement and how much you’re on track for.

savings calculator

One thing about saving is that, sometimes, it can be difficult to know how much to save or how long it’ll take. Try out MoneyHelper’s savings calculator below to tackle both those problems.

the uk bill increase of 2025

The UK is seeing a bill increase in 2025, with increases to water bills, average energy bills, stamp duty and car tax, to name a few. Regardless of your financial situation, unexpected bill increases can always put pressure on your budget, making it harder to stay in control. To help ensure a stable financial future, we’ve broken down what the UK bill increases look like. Remember, at caba, we offer means-tested financial support and grants that can help you manage some of the increases.

energy bill increase

The annual energy bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity will go up £111 a year to £1,849 from April. If you are worried, get in touch with caba - we might be able to help with financial support.

water bill increases

Water bills for households are due to go up in England and Wales by £10 more per month on average, depending on supplier. Southern Water is seeing the highest increase at 47%, while the likes of Anglian and Severn Trent see increases at around the 20% mark. Refer to your water supplier for more information.

council tax increases

In England, local authorities with responsibility for delivering social care can increase council tax every year by up to 4.99%. Check with your local council for council tax exemptions, or get in touch with caba if you are struggling financially.

car tax will increase

The standard rate for most cars will rise in line with inflation, while EVs will no longer be exempt from road tax. Compare insurance providers, or see if switching to a low-emission car could reduce your tax rate.

Icon image of a swing tag depicting a house representing council tax

stamp duty will rise

The government is reducing the stamp duty threshold, resulting in buyers paying duty on property purchases. If you're buying a house soon, check if you can complete before the threshold changes.

Icon of a pair of binoculars representing hidden tax increases

hidden tax rises

Several indirect tax increases, such as higher alcohol duties and frozen income tax thresholds, mean you could be paying more tax without realising. Review your finances and and reach out to caba if you need assistance.

Icon image of a computer monitor browsing the internet depicting the increase in broadband costs

broadband price increase

Some providers will be implementing a fixed £3-3.50 monthly increase, while others will be using a fixed percentage at the rate of inflation. Check with your provider for more information, and make the most of comparison websites to get the best deal.

Icon image of a mobile phone depicting coins on the screen to represent the increase in phone bills

phone bills due to increase

If you signed a contract before April 2024, you will likely see an increase on your phone bill, which will rise at the rate of inflation. Compare deals and, if your contact is ending, negotiate with your provider for a better deal.

Icon image of a television depicting coins in a stack to represent the increase in the TV license fee in the United Kingdom

tv licence rising

TV licenses will rise to £174.50, a total increase of £5. This will affect anyone who signed a contract prior to April 2024.