Supporting our staff to help money go further

This page provides a range of widely-available financial wellbeing support and ideas to help any member of health and care staff make their money go further.

Please note, the information is up to date as of December 2022. NHS England does not promote or endorse the use of the organisations, companies and resources mentioned and may amend or update this information at any time. It is designed to highlight a range of support available.

National discounts

The following national discounts are available to NHS colleagues:

  • Blue Light Card: provides a range of discounts online and in store for NHS, emergency services, social care sector and armed forces colleagues who purchase a Blue Light Card.
  • Asda: as at August 2022, Asda is offering 10% discount in store for Blue Light card holders.
  • Health Service Discounts: offers discounts, vouchers and cashback for NHS and healthcare workers. You can join for free on their website.
  • Money Saving Expert: details a number of NHS and care worker staff discounts, some of which do not require a Blue Light Card.
  • Fleet Home Electronics: their scheme, in partnership with Curry’s, enables NHS and public sector staff to order the latest technology and spread the cost over 12 or 24 months.
  • Money Saving Expert: details a number of NHS and care worker staff discounts, some of which do not require a Blue Light Card.
  • Fleet Home Electronics: their scheme, in partnership with Curry’s, enables NHS and public sector staff to order the latest technology and spread the cost over 12 or 24 months.

Help for households discounts and offers

Various discounts and offers are available from businesses as part of the government’s Help for Households campaign.

Supermarket loyalty schemes

  • Asda: the Asda Rewards app enables customers to build up a ‘cashpot’ to spend in Asda stores or online.
  • Lidl: the Lidl Plus app gives shoppers access to weekly discount coupons, exclusive discounts and prizes, including 30% off in store bakery items on Monday to Saturday (excluding bank holidays) from 7pm until closing time.
  • Morrisons: the My Morrisons app provides personalised offers on items you buy frequently. NHS colleagues can also join the NHS Club via the app for access to exclusive offers.
  • Sainsbury’s: the Nectar scheme enables shoppers to earn one Nectar point for every £1 qualifying spend in store, online or on fuel.
  • Tesco: Tesco Clubcard members can collect one point for every £1 spent in store and online, and one point for every £2 spent on fuel.
  • Waitrose: the My Waitrose scheme provides members with freebies and personalised offers.

Pre-owned items

Help for households

  • The government’s Help for Households campaign provides information on help with your energy bills.
  • It includes an online tool where you can find ways to save energy in your home based on details you provide about your property.

Advice and guidance

National schemes

Fuel costs

The following tools can help you find the cheapest petrol and diesel prices near you:

Blue Light Card members can also apply for a free Esso fuel card to access discounted fuel at Esso stations across the UK, and collect Nectar loyalty points when filling up

Travel money saving tips

Help for households discounts and offers

A range of discounts and offers are available from businesses as part of the government’s Help for Households campaign and the gov.uk cost of living support website. Each includes a range of support on income and disability benefits, bills and allowances, childcare, housing and travel.

For example:

  • Help for households: the government’s Help for households campaign offers various forms of financial support for eligible individuals, including help with childcare costs.
  • Child Benefit: the Government offers parents and carers up to £1,248 a year to help them with the costs of raising their first child, and up to £826.80 for any additional children. Claims can be made on GOV.UK’s online service. Families can download the HMRC app for further support.
  • Specified Adult Childcare credits: grandparents who mind children while parents are at work may be able to apply for Specified Adult Childcare credits if they meet certain eligibility criteria. Further information and how to apply can be found on GOV.UK’s Specified adult childcare credits: fact sheet.
  • Childcare Choices: provides information on government help with childcare costs for parents.
  • Healthcare Workers’ Foundation: the charity provides financial support for childcare related costs through grants of up to a total of £1,000 annually. Their childcare grants page provides more information.

National organisations

Grant funding and financial support

  • Registration and revalidation fees: The Nursing and Midwifery Council will not be increasing the registration fee for the remainder of the 2022/23 financial year and have no plans to put it up in the next financial year, as detailed in the Council Papers – 28 September 2022. The General Medical Council provides information on fee discounts available to doctors.
  • Government cost of living support: The government’s Help for households campaign and cost of living support page provide
  • Cost of Living Payment: The Department for Work and Pensions provides guidance on getting a Cost of Living Payment if you’re entitled to certain benefits or tax credits.
  • Healthcare Workers’ Foundation: Provides grants of up to £1,000 to healthcare workers who need help with their finances. More information about the grants available can be found on their financial support page.
  • The Care Workers’ Charity: Supports care workers in the UK with one off grants, including the COVID-19 Emergency FundCrisis Grant and Funeral Grants.
  • Turn2us: a national charity which provides practical help to people who are struggling financially. You can search for grants on their website.
  • CSIS Charity Fund: Supports serving, retired and former civil and public servants, and widows and widowers of deceased CSIS policyholders, with grants to help with costs such as essential household bills. You can ask about eligibility for a grant using the details provided on their website.
  • Social Workers’ Benevolent Trust: Offers financial help to social workers and their dependants in times of hardship. Details about the grants available and how to apply can be found on their website.
  • Cavell Nurses’ Trust: The charity helps registered nurses, midwives, nursing associates, maternity support workers and healthcare assistants, both working and retired, who are experiencing personal or financial hardship. You can find out if you are eligible for financial help on their website.
  • Junius S. Morgan Benevolent Fund: the charity provides grants to UK registered and retired nurses, midwives and nursing associates. Further details, including how to apply, can be found on their grants page.
  • The Queen’s Nursing Institute: Provides financial support for nurses.
  • RCN Foundation: Provides details of the financial support available to pre-registration undergraduate nursing and midwifery students across the UK.
  • The Ambulance Staff Charity: Provides various services to support the UK’s ambulance staff and their families, students and ambulance service volunteers, including financial grants.
  • NHS England support: There is a range of support available for our NHS people, such as:
    • a 24/7 confidential text support service available to NHS colleagues who are feeling worried or overwhelmed or need someone to talk to, accessible by texting FRONTLINE to 8525
    • wellbeing apps that NHS staff have been given free access for a given time.
  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Your own organisation may offer an EAP service that provides confidential support 24/7, seven days a week, with a range of issues such as relationships, stress, legal and financial concerns, bereavement and discrimination. Find out from your own employer whether this is available and if so, how to access it.
  • Mental Health and Money Advice: The service’s cost of living page provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing and manage your money as bills rise.
  • NHS Every Mind Matters: Better Health – Every Mind Matters provides expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
  • Samaritans: provide a non-judgemental listening ear for those who need someone to talk to. Their website provides contact details.