Income maximisation

Income maximisation is about making sure you’re getting all the money and help you should. This could be through benefits, discounts, or other help depending on your situation. We look at your budget and help you find ways to make your money go further.

If you're finding it hard to manage your money, or you're worried about bills or debt, we can help. Even if things seem okay, it’s worth checking, you might be missing out on support that could make life easier. If something has changed, like your health or your income, it’s a good time to review your finances.

You can speak to our Welfare Officer for advice that fits your situation. Just get in touch with our Helpline.

Call 0300 373 1000 or 020 3795 2184, Monday–Friday 10am–4pm
Email [email protected]
Chat with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
Message us on WhatsApp on 07361 582053

It’s not always easy to know what help is out there, but we’re here to make it simple. 

Our Welfare Officer can check if you’re getting all the benefits and financial support. We’ll also help you make the most of your money, so nothing gets missed.

Benefits advice

• Our information about Disability Living Allowance (DLA) / Child Disability Payment (CPD)
• Our information about Personal Independence Payment (PIP) / Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
• Our information about Universal Credit
• We offer support with applying for benefits, such as DLA, PIP or Universal Credit.

Ask for a benefit check

Lots of people in the UK miss out on money they could get from benefits. Even if you already get some help, it’s worth checking again. You can:

• contact our Helpline if you would like to speak to our Welfare Team
• ask your CF Social Worker, if you have one
• use an independent benefits calculator to check which benefits you can get
• ask your nearest Citizens Advice. 

Making a budget isn’t too hard, but sticking to it can be! Here are some tips to help you stay on track:

Be consistent. Keep track of your daily spending with a free Budget Planner:

• Budget Builder with fun graphics from the Money Charity
• Budget Plannerthat’s easy to follow from MoneyHelper
• Budget Plan with free templates and help from StepChange
• My Money Steps with budget help and tailored debt advice from the National Debtline

Be honest. Don’t leave things out or guess too low when you think about your spending.

Think about occasional expenses. Make sure you include savings for expenses that only happen a few times a year like gifts, car insurance and trips to the dentist.

Keep motivated. Remind yourself why you are doing it - to stay in control and feel less worried.

Think about the ‘extra spending’ in your budget. If your budget still doesn’t balance, it’s time to cut back on non-essential spending.  Could you swap the takeaway for a supermarket version? Or take lunch into work more often?

Be kind to yourself. Everyone will go off their budget occasionally, no matter how much money is available to you. Don’t get disheartened, change your budget and see where you can get some money back.

Don’t try to go without too much. This isn’t supposed to feel like a punishment. You will find it much harder to stick to in the long-term. Find a balance between saving and the occasional treat – you’ll find you enjoy it more.

Review your budget every month. This will help you keep on track, find out what works for you and what doesn’t. Feel good knowing your budget is under control, and you can enjoy your money without stress.

You are not alone. If you’re struggling to balance your budget, reach out for help. 

Contact our Helpline

Running a household can be expensive, but small changes can make a big difference.

Energy saving and tariff reviews

Check your energy deal regularly. Simple things like switching off standby or using energy-saving bulbs can lower your bills. 

Read more: Cost of living with CF and Help with energy bills

Water meter and WaterSure scheme

Switching to a water meter can reduce your bill if you use less water than average. Try this: Water Meter Calculator

If you’re on benefits and you use more water at home because of cystic fibrosis, or because you have a large family, the WaterSure scheme could save you money.

Read more: Cost of living with CF and Help with energy bills

Council tax reductions and spreading payments

You might be able to get money off your Council Tax depending on your income, who lives with you, or your situation. You could also choose to spread payments over 12 months instead of 10 and make it easier to manage. 

Read more: Council Tax

Broadband tariff reviews

Broadband providers often offer better deals to new customers, and cheaper social tariffs to those receiving Universal Credit - so reviewing your tariff and switching if needed can reduce your monthly costs without sacrificing speed or reliability.

Money advice

If you are having trouble paying your bills, it’s a good idea to get help quick. A debt advisor can help you work out which bills to pay first, how to pay, and ways to get your finances back on track. You can get free help from organisations like Money Helper, Citizens Advice, and Step Change. 

Read more: Emergency financial support

Groceries

Planning your meals ahead and swapping brands can significantly lower the cost of your food shop, while also reducing waste and making your budget go further.

Top tip! If you have a smart phone, sign up to apps like OLIO and TooGoodToGo so you can find reduced food parcels near to you. 

Food shopping is one of the biggest regular expenses, let’s make it budget friendly.

• How to meal plan to save money and waste – Planning before your food shop can be really important if you want to stick to a budget and reduce waste. We have some ideas here to help.
• How you can reduce the cost of cooking – If we want to eat healthily and cheaply, cooking is hard to avoid. Check out our five ways you can save energy while cooking – and still enjoy tasty and nutritious meals.
• Five top tips for eating well on a budget – Katie Marsden is a specialist CF dietitian at the West Midlands Adult CF Centre. Here she gives some top tips to help people with CF eat well on a budget.
• Budget-friendly recipes for people with cystic fibrosis – Each recipe includes an estimated cost, based on November 2022 price points. 

For general information about a mix of issues relating to diet, nutrition and CF, we have a series of leaflets that have been written by CF dietitians.

Sometimes we all need a little extra money to help with both the practical and the enjoyable parts of life. You might be saving for something special, like a birthday celebration or a weekend getaway. Or perhaps you're setting money aside to cover the costs of a hospital stay, or preparing for higher bills during the winter months.

Here are some simple and practical ways to boost your budget, whether you're looking to stretch your income, make the most of what you have, or find extra support when you need it most.

Disclaimer: Links to websites are shared for informational purposes only, and does not imply an endorsement or a recommendation from Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

• 10 Ways to Boost Income (Money Advice Hub)
• 60+ Tips to Make Extra Money from Home (MoneySavingExpert). 

Sell or rent out things you don’t need

Got items lying around? You could turn them into extra cash without leaving the house.

• Furniture and gadgets: Sell locally on Facebook Marketplace
• Clothes, shoes and accessories: Try Vinted. Easy to post and ship.
• Books, DVDs and games: Try World of Books. Scan to get an instant offer and free postage.
• Space on the driveway or garage: Try Stashbee or yourparkingspace.co.uk. Rent it out to people who need storage or parking.

Use cashback and reward sites

Get money back, win prizes, discounts on days out and more - just by shopping as usual.

Supermarket loyalty schemes – quick guide

Lots of supermarkets offer reward schemes to help you save money while you shop. You can get points, discounts, and special prices. 

For example, Tesco’s Clubcard gives you points and special deals, Sainsbury’s Nectar lets you earn points in different shops, and Asda Rewards give you a “cashpot” you can turn into vouchers. Other stores like Lidl, Iceland, and Morrisons have app-only deals, bonuses, and special offers. Even Waitrose, M&S, and Co-op offer free drinks, charity donations, and discounts on hundreds of items.

Food brand rewards – save more with everyday products

Some food brands give you rewards when you buy their products. 

For example, Yeo Valley gives you Yeokens you can use for discounts and family days out, while Kellogg’s lets you swap cereal box codes for toys and books. Brands like Nestlé, Quaker Oats, and Birds Eye sometimes run special offers where you can get money back, vouchers, or enter prize draws. It’s a simple way to get something extra when you do your weekly shop.

Cashback and lifestyle rewards – get more from your spending

There are lots of websites and apps that give you money back or rewards when you shop.

TopCashback and Quidco give you money back when you shop at different stores, while Swagbucks gives you points for doing surveys, shopping, or playing games. Grocery apps like Shopmium and GreenJinn give you money back when you scan your receipts, and SuperSaveClub gives you vouchers and free days out. Airtime Rewards helps you save money on your phone bill. You earn money when you shop at participating stores, and it goes straight towards reducing your mobile phone bill.

Paid surveys and microtasks

Answer surveys or test websites for small payments. Good if you’re low on energy or not feeling well enough to leave the house. This is not a complete list, there might be lots more that suit you better. These are just a few ideas to get you started.

• Prolific: Take part in studies and answer questions. It’s easy to use and pays fairly.
• Qmee: Do surveys and get cashback when you shop.
• Clickworker: Do small jobs like writing or describing pictures. You get paid for each task you finish.

Turn a hobby or skill into cash

You don’t have to be a pro to make a little money from something you enjoy.

• Dog walking or pet sitting in your local area. Try Rover or Tailster.
• Offer your writing, design, or admin services online. Try Fiverr or PeoplePerHour.
• Ironing services. Easily done at home, and a chore many people would happily out-source. Advertise locally and start out by helping your neighbours.
• Be a film and TV extra. You can register with trusted sites like Casting Collective to find work on adverts, dramas, and big films.
• Sell homemade crafts, jewelry or prints on Etsy or Facebook Marketplace.

The Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards offer a unique opportunity for adults living with cystic fibrosis who want to start a small business or grow a hobby. Whether you're starting something new, growing a small business, or turning a hobby into work, this award is designed to empower you with the resources and support needed to succeed while balancing your health and aspirations. 

Find out more here: Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards

Learn and earn

Free courses can help you boost skills and confidence; some even offer job-ready training. This is not an exhaustive list – there may be lots more that may be more suitable to you. Here are just a few to be thinking about.

• FutureLearn: Free short courses in business, health, and creativity.
• OpenLearn: Free learning from the Open University - great for improving your CV or confidence.
• Reed Courses: Browse work-focused online courses use the filter to find free courses.

The Joseph Levy Education Fund helps people with cystic fibrosis who want to learn new things or take a course. It offers small grants to support your education, like paying for travel, books, or course costs. It’s here to help you follow your dreams and feel confident about your future. 

Find out more here: Joseph Levy Education Fund

Important: Remember to think about and look at any tax or benefit implications that might be triggered by extra taxable income coming into your household. If in any doubt, it is best to contact HMRC. Read more about it here: Income Tax: Overview - GOV.UK