Households are being urged to check whether they could claim up to £750 in available grants and support before the Budget.
Millions of families are struggling with rising prices and preparing for a potential further squeeze on their finances when Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her Budget in two weeks.
A free online platform, Lightning Reach, is helping UK households access an average of £750 in financial support as they brace for possible tax increases on November 26.
The service connects people to more than 2,500 schemes across the country, offering grants, vouchers and benefits at a time when household energy debt has reached a record £4.4billion.
Since launching in 2021, it has helped 200,000 people secure more than £20 million in assistance, including £7.5million in energy bill support.
Experts warn that billions of pounds in help go unclaimed every year because the support system is too difficult to navigate.
Lightning Reach aims to bridge that gap by matching households to schemes within minutes.
Lightning Reach aims to bridge that gap by matching households to schemes within minutes.
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GETTYIt works with partners such as OVO, TSB, the British Gas Energy Trust, the Royal British Legion and Lambeth Council, alongside a wide network of charities, councils and housing associations.
According to the platform, many users receive support within days, giving families time to secure help before Christmas.
Founder CEO Ren Yi Hooi said: “Too many people were facing impossible choices, between heating or eating, debt or dignity and I wanted to build something that could change that.”
many users receive support within days, giving families time to secure help before Christmas
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PAShe noted that the platform’s mission has become even more vital as energy debt climbs and the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
“With the upcoming Budget expected to tighten household finances even further through new tax increases, the need for rapid and joined-up support is greater than ever,” she stated.
Despite the platform facilitating £20 million in support so far, Hooi warned that challenges remain. “Yet every year, billions in vital help still go unclaimed because the system is too complex and fragmented,” she said.
Lightning Reach is urging the government to simplify financial support systems so families can access assistance more easily
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GETTYLightning Reach is urging the government to simplify financial support systems so families can access assistance more easily.
In the meantime, households struggling with bills are advised to contact providers to discuss cheaper tariffs or temporary payment holidays.
Many councils also offer help through the Household Support Fund, providing cash or vouchers to low-income residents. City of York Council, for instance, is issuing one-off £100 payments directly into bank accounts for those receiving council tax support, with no repayment required.
As winter pressures grow and potential tax changes loom, Lightning Reach’s rapid matching tool offers a crucial route for families to access the help they are entitled to.