Life with kidney disease can bring new financial challenges, especially for people experiencing kidney failure. That could mean struggling to stay in full time work, different energy and water needs, or simply finding it hard to keep up with the cost of living.
Whether you are in work or receiving benefits, there are schemes and additional help you meet your needs as a person with kidney disease.
Help with housing costs
Get a reduction on your council tax
You could be eligible for a reduction or discounts to your council tax bill. You may be eligible if you:
- live alone (or are the only adult in your household)
- have a low income or receive benefits
- have made adaptions to your home, like an additional bathroom for a disabled person
- are on home dialysis
Each council runs its own council tax reduction scheme. You can search for your local council on gov.uk. This will link you to your local council website, where you will be able to apply or get more information on having your council tax bill reduced or discounted.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland there is a different scheme. You can apply for a reduction of your Housing Rates.
Discretionary Housing Payment
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) provide financial support to help with rent or housing costs. This is at the discretion of your local authority.
You can receive a DHP if you are entitled to Housing Benefit or the Housing Costs part of Universal Credit.
Help with energy and utility costs
Priority Services Register
We have been working with utilities companies to make it easy for those living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to register for extra support by joining the Priority Services Register.
The Priority Services Register (PSR) helps utility companies look after domestic customers who have additional communication, access or safety needs. It helps them tailor their services to support households who may need extra help – and it is free to join.
The PSR is available to domestic customers across England, Wales and Scotland. There are separate registers for your energy supply and your water supply, so make sure you register with both.
Get help from your energy company
Most energy companies have funds to support customers who are facing financial hardship. This can include grants and debt advice.
Contact your energy provider to find out more.
The British Gas Energy Trust provides independent advice and supporters to customers of all energy companies, not just British Gas. If you're struggling with energy bills, they can help.
WaterSure
WaterSure is a scheme offered by water suppliers in England and Wales that caps your annual metered bill amount. This means you won't pay over a certain amount for the year, whatever your actual consumption is. You should be eligible for WaterSure if:
- you are receiving dialysis at home, because it is a medical condition which requires a lot of water
- or, you have three children or more under 19 and in full-time education living in your household.
You must also be on benefits and be on a water meter or waiting to have one installed.
You can apply for WaterSure by filling out a form from your water company.
You will need to supply evidence that you qualify, such as a copy of your awards notice for a benefit.
Help with the cost of transport
Travel passes in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Each of the four nations has its own scheme for issuing travel cards.
English National Concessionary Travel Scheme
Card holders are entitled to travel free of charge on any off-peak local bus service (some regions allow the card to be used on all bus services).
Eligibility criteria differ slightly between each Local Authority but as a general rule you are eligible if any of the following apply to you:
- Your ability to walk is severely impaired
- You have a Blue Badge
- You’re unable to drive due to a medical condition
- You’re registered blind or severely sight impaired
Contact your local council to find full eligibility criteria and apply for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme.
Disabled Person’s Concessionary Travel Card
You are eligible for free bus journeys and free/discounted journeys on Transport for Wales trains if you receive one of the following benefits:
- DLA mobility component at higher rate
- PIP award with 8 or more points under Descriptor 7 “Communicating Verbally”; or 12 points under Descriptor 11 “Planning and Following a Journey”; or 8 or more points under Descriptor 12 “Moving Around”
You may also be eligible to apply for a Disabled Person with Companion Travel Card if you are unable to travel independently.
The National Entitlement Card provides free travel on registered local and long-distance bus services throughout Scotland, at any time of day for any number of journeys, for those aged 60 and over, as well as for eligible disabled people who live in Scotland. You are eligible for the Card if you:
- Get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
- Get the higher/middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
- Receive Attendance Allowance
- Receive any rate of the mobility or daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
- Have a Blue Badge
You can apply for a National Entitlement Card with your local council.
This card entitles the holder to half fare bus travel on participating services along with concessionary ferry services. You will be eligible for a Half Fare SmartPass if you:
- Get the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
- Get the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment
- Have had a driving licence refused or revoked on medical grounds
- Are partially sighted
Free travel is available to people in Northern Ireland for everyone aged 60 and over or registered blind.
You can apply for a Half Fare SmartPass by contacting Translink or collecting an application form from your local Translink bus or rail station.
Disabled Persons Railcard
A Disabled Persons Railcard entitles the holder and an adult companion to one-third off most train fares across England, Scotland and Wales.
It currently costs £20 for one year or £54 for three years.
People receiving receiving certain benefits including PIP or ADP, and certain rates of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Child Disability Payment (CDP) are eligible for the card.
In 2026 the eligibility criteria has been expanded to include a wider range of people, including those who have an individual Blue Badge, receive a Disabled Person's Bus Pass or a London Disabled Person's Freedom Pass.
The Disabled Persons Railcard website has a full list of eligibility criteria. You can view this and apply for a Railcard below.
Vehicle Tax
You can apply for exemption from paying vehicle tax if you get the higher rate mobility component of DLA or enhanced rate mobility component of PIP.
You can get a 50% reduction in vehicle tax if you get the PIP standard rate mobility component. The vehicle should be registered in the disabled person’s name or their nominated driver’s name.