The charity making life better by water
Making life better by water
Boating can be a great lifestyle, but it can get tough at times. Here’s how we’re putting boaters in touch with the people who can help.
If you're a boater in need of help, or you're concerned about a boater who you think might be vulnerable and in need of support, please email the welfare team or call 0303 040 4040.
You can also contact the waterways chaplaincy for assistance.
Waterways chaplains help boaters with life's challenges, regardless of religion, race, orientation or socio-economic status
In the first instance, use this checker to find your local authority. They have a duty to assist you with your situation. You can also call a local directory enquiry service to find your local authority.
The organisations below can also offer additional support:
If you are in financial difficulty, struggling with paying your boat licence fees or need advice on how you might pay a debt, the following organisations offer advice:
Many boaters aren’t aware that you may be entitled to benefits which can help pay towards licence and mooring fees – depending on your circumstances.
To check if you can claim benefits go to Turn2us.org or Entitledto.co.uk
Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644.
Universal credit is a benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions which helps pay your daily living costs. You may be able to get Universal Credit if:
Who can claim Universal Credit?
Universal credit housing costs: If you’re eligible for Universal Credit you can get help towards your licence fee costs. You usually get the extra amount for housing in your Universal Credit payment.
How to claim: If you already get Universal Credit, apply for support with housing costs in your online account. If you’re new to Universal Credit, apply for Universal Credit. You can get help to apply for Universal Credit. You’ll need an email address and be able to verify your identity online.
If you have a disability meaning you cannot complete this online, call the helpline.
State Pension is money you may be able to get if you have reached state pension age and must be applied for. It is paid by the Government. For information about your state pension age go to www.gov.uk/state-pension-age. If you claim State Pension and you have a low income, you may be eligible for Pension Credit.
Pension Credit: To get Pension Credit as a single person, your income must not be more than £227.10 a week. To get Pension Credit as a couple, your income must not be more than £346.60 a week. You can use Gov.uk online calculator to see how much you might get. You can apply for Pension Credit online, by phone or by post. Call the Pension Credit New Claim line: 0800 99 1234.
Attendance Allowance: You can Attendance Allowance if you have a disability (mental or physical) and need someone to look after you and have reached State Pension age. You must have needed this support or supervision for at least 6 months (you can still claim if you have no support or supervision). If you are nearing the end of your life (less than 12 months to live), you can claim straight away.
Housing benefit: You can make a claim for Housing Benefit if you have reached state pension age. You can either apply:
Pension Service: Telephone: 0800 99 1234 Textphone: 0800 169 0133 Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 99 1234 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
We want everyone to benefit from improved health, wellbeing and happiness that comes from being by water. Our equality policy sets out our commitment to promote equality for people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 and our approach to making sure everyone can access and use our waterways.
If you are a boater with a disability or long-term health condition, that makes it difficult to move your boat in line with our boat licence terms and conditions, you can apply for an equality adjustment.
To register at a GP surgery, you will be asked to give basic information including your name and date of birth. If you do not have a permanent address, you can register at a GP surgery using either a temporary address, care of address or the address of the GP surgery.
The debt support services can help provide free, confidential and regulated advice to help with debt:
If you need to discuss licence or mooring fee debt, our dedicated teams can be reached via 0303 040 4040 for advice and support.
If you are struggling with your daily needs, you can have a conversation with your local council to find out what support you need in your day‑to‑day life. It’s there to understand what challenges you’re facing, what matters to you, and what help could make things easier.
Think of it as the council getting a full picture of your situation so they can decide what care or support you may be entitled to. This is called a Care Act Assessment.
To do this, you will need to contact Adult Social Services:
The assessor (usually a social worker or trained council staff member) will talk with you about things like:
It’s not a test — it’s simply about understanding your needs.
Our welfare team is here to support you with boating on our waterways in a variety of ways
We can make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to our normal cruising regulations for disabled boaters and people with protected characteristics
Waterways chaplains help boaters with life's challenges, regardless of religion, race, orientation or socio-economic status
Find out about accessible moorings and our regular disabled boaters' forum
Last Edited: 15 April 2026
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