Help with paying your bills

Citizens Advice offer information and resources to support you in managing your finance and paying your bills.

To access advice and resources relevant to your situation please contact your local Citizens Advice:

Below we have pulled together information on other support schemes that may be available to you.

Help paying water bills

Many water companies run hardship schemes or fund independent charitable trusts which can provide help when it comes to paying your water bills.

For more information, please ask your water supplier.

There are similar schemes in place for residents living in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Please see links below for more information.

WaterSure scheme in England

WaterSure is a scheme that helps some people in England by capping their water bills, meaning your bill will not be more than the average water bill in your area.

To qualify for the WaterSure scheme you must:

have a high essential use of water (including for medical conditions such as EB).
be on a water meter.
be on certain benefits.

For more information on the WaterSure scheme in England please visit Citizens Advice.

Schemes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

There are similar schemes to WaterSure in place for residents living in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Please use the links below for more information.

Help with your energy bills

Energy is a significant cost for many households however for people living with EB, we know it can be an even higher cost due to an increased need to wash and dry bedding and towels etc. and for more frequent baths. There are however schemes available to support families and individuals experiencing financial hardship who are struggling with energy debts.

Please see links below for energy saving advice and information about energy relief schemes that you may be able to access depending on where in the UK you live:

UK wide - Independent fuel debt advice

UK wide - The Energy Saving Trust

England, Wales and Northern Ireland only - Cold Weather Payment

Scotland only - Winter Heating Payment

Scotland only - Warm Home Discount Scheme

Northern Ireland only - Cold Weather Payment checker

Northern Ireland only - Affordable Warmth Scheme

Wales only - Nest Wales

The UK government and Ofgem, the energy regulator, also offer help and advice if you are struggling to pay your energy bills. For more information, please visit:

Help with your travel costs

We know the cost of travelling to vital EB healthcare appointments creates an additional financial burden for many members of the EB community due to the NHS’s four EB centres of excellence being in Birmingham and London, which means, depending on where you live in the UK, lengthy journeys, and the associated travel costs.

There are however ways that you can make your life easier, and possibly cheaper too.

If you are referred to a hospital for a specialist NHS treatment you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

Alternatively, you may be eligible for non-emergency patient transport services (PTS). These services provide free transport to and from hospital for people including:

those whose condition means they need additional medical support during their journey.
those who find it difficult to walk.
parents or guardians of children who are being transported.

For more information on travel assistance depending on where you live, please visit:

England

Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

Blue Badge assistance

The Blue Badge scheme enables you to park closer to your destination if you have a health condition which negatively affects your mobility. You may be automatically entitled to a Blue Badge if you receive the higher rate for mobility in your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) award. If you receive the lower rate or no mobility element, you can still apply for a Blue Badge (council dependent) with the help of a supporting letter from your medical team or our EB Community Support Team providing more detail about your mobility difficulties. You may also be eligible if you receive the mobility component of PIP due to the overwhelming psychological distress of going on a journey.

EB often does have a negative impact on mobility. If this is the case for you, a family member, or someone you care for who has EB, then it may be well worth applying. The DEBRA EB Community Support Team is highly experienced in supporting members with the Blue Badge application process, which can often be difficult. They can support you generally with the application but also with a letter of support which can make a big difference. Contact the DEBRA EB Community Support Team today.

Benefits of Having a Blue Badge in the UK

The Blue Badge scheme is a national initiative designed to make travel and parking easier for people with disabilities or severe mobility issues. Holding a Blue Badge can significantly improve independence, accessibility, and quality of life. Below are the key benefits:

Easier Access to Parking

Park closer to your destination in designated disabled bays.
Reduce the distance you need to walk, making everyday activities like shopping, attending appointments, or visiting friends more manageable.

Exemptions from Parking Restrictions

Park for free at on-street parking meters and Pay & Display bays.
Park on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours (where loading restrictions do not apply).

Financial Savings

Free or reduced parking charges in many council-operated car parks.
Exemption from certain tolls and charges, including the London Congestion Charge.

Discounts in Shops and Services

Blue Badge holders often qualify for exclusive discounts through disability-friendly schemes and membership programs:

Retail Discounts: Save on groceries, clothing, and household essentials at major retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Boots, M&S, and Primark (typically 2–6% off).
Food & Drink: Discounts at Costa Coffee, Starbucks, Greggs, and Toby Carvery (up to 10% off).
Fashion & Beauty: Up to 22% off No7 Beauty, 7% off H&M, and VAT-free adaptive clothing.
Membership Schemes: Platforms like Blue Badgers and Purpl Discounts offer savings on shopping, entertainment, and travel for as little as £4.99/year.
VAT Relief: Disabled individuals can buy certain goods and services at 0% VAT, saving 20% on eligible items like mobility aids and home adaptations.

Greater Independence

The scheme helps you maintain independence by reducing physical strain and making travel less stressful.
It supports participation in work, healthcare, and social activities without worrying about parking difficulties.

Nationwide Recognition

Your Blue Badge is valid across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
It can also be used in many European countries—check local rules before travelling.

Support for Hidden Disabilities

People with conditions such as autism, severe anxiety, or mental health disorders may qualify, helping reduce distress during journeys.

Important Responsibilities

The badge is for your use only—misuse can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 and confiscation.
Always display the badge clearly on your dashboard when parking.

How to Apply

You can apply online via GOV.UK or through your local council. The cost is:

England: up to £10
Scotland: up to £20
Wales: Free Badges usually last for 3 years.

Ready to Apply?

Visit Apply for a Blue Badge to start your application today.

For more information about the Blue Badge scheme please see this guidance from Citizens Advice.

If you live in England, Scotland, or Wales you can apply online through GOV.UK.

If you live in Northern Ireland, the process is different, but you can also apply online at nidirect.

Disabled Persons Railcard and bus passes

You may be eligible to purchase a Disabled Persons Railcard if you currently receive any of the following benefits:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Attendance Allowance (AA)

The Disabled Persons Railcard will reduce the price of an adult train fare by 1/3 and applies for travel on the National Rail network (England, Wales and Scotland). There are no time restrictions with the railcard; you can use it to get a discount on tickets at any time of day and if you’re travelling with another adult, they will also get 1/3 off their rail fare.

You can apply for a 1-year or 3-year Disabled Persons Railcard.

To check whether you are eligible, please visit the Disabled Persons Railcard website.

Some councils also provide free off-peak buss passes, if you receive specific benefits. You can check your local council’s website to see what they offer.

To find out about free or concessionary bus and rail travel in Northern Ireland, please visit the nidirect website.

Managing debt

If you are struggling to manage debt, there is help available.

The DEBRA EB Community Support Team can help with debt problems and can point you towards other agencies, and other useful information that could help ease your financial situation.

Money worries? Get confidential advice from Money Wellness so you can live more and stress less.

Every day, they help people up and down the country with: