Free independent help and advice

If you’re worried about your money and the rising cost of living, you’re not alone. You can get free help and support from the organisations below, and your government.

Support from your government

Your national government are able to give help and guidance on a range of benefits and housing options that you may be eligible for:

Gov.co.uk logo

If you’re struggling with finances or a low income, you can get help and advice from the government and local councils. This includes help with heating, housing and other living costs.

Get help now


Your government also offers lots of help with the rising cost of living through their Help for Households campaign. This includes support with energy bills, childcare costs and transport costs.

Help for households

NI Direct logo

The Finance Support Service supports people who live in Northern Ireland and need short-term financial help.

Get help now


Your government offers lots of help with the rising cost of living. This includes support with energy bills, health costs and income support.

Cost of living support

Mygov.scot logo

There is free independent support and advice funded by the Scottish government. This includes help with benefits, social care and housing.

Get help now


Your government offers lots of help with the rising cost of living. This includes support with energy bills, childcare costs and travel costs.

Cost of living support

Welsh Government logo

There is free independent support and advice funded by the Welsh government. This includes help with employment, transport and housing.

Get help now


Your government also offers lots of help with the rising cost of living. This includes support with energy bills, childcare costs and debt.

Cost of living support

  • Some organisations can help you to claim government benefits and grants you might not be aware of.

    Turn2Us Logo.

    Turn2Us – Financial support charity

    • Understand your eligibility for benefits and grants that you weren't aware of. Turn2Us can help you search for these to support with the cost of living
    • Online benefits calculator
    • Speak to an adviser in your local area

    Call: 0808 802 2000

    Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 

    Visit Turn2Us

    Turn2Us benefits calculator

    Citizens Advice logo.

    Help from Citizens Advice Scotland

    • Free advice on a range of topics, including benefits, debt, housing and consumer rights
    • Help with managing your money
    • Practical and impartial support online, in person or over the phone

    Call: 0800 028 1456 or 0800 144 8848 if you’re in England.

    Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

    Visit Citizens Advice

  • Free support and advice for a range of topics from benefits to pensions, housing and savings.

    Shelter logo.

    Shelter – housing and homeless charity

    • Provides those struggling with bad housing or homelessness the help they need, through their advice, support and legal services
    • Help with money and debts 
    • Talk to someone online or by phone   

    Contact Shelter using their online support page

    Visit Shelter

    Mental Health and Money Advice logo.

    Mental Health and Money Advice

    • Clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing mental health and money worries
    • Specialist knowledge of benefits, managing money and mental health care
    • Award-winning UK-wide online advice service

    Visit Mental Health & Money Advice

    Money Helper logo.

    Guidance from MoneyHelper

    • Government-backed with information on benefits, tax, pensions, homes and savings
    • Helpful articles, tools and calculators
    • Support available online, over the phone or face-to-face

    Call: 0800 138 7777 for money guidance or 0800 011 3797 for pensions guidance.

    Lines open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

    Visit MoneyHelper

    We are digital logo.

    The Digital Helpline – A service provided by We Are Digital

    • Free 1-2-1 digital skills training over the phone
    • Topics include; Internet Banking, online food shopping, booking a doctor’s appointment, using a website, staying in touch with friends and family through video calls, and more

    Call: 0345 222 0333

    Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

    Those who are Deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) can book a session using BSL SignVideo. Available on Safari, Chrome or Firefox web browsers. 

    Customers who have hearing loss or a speech impairment can use the service through Relay UK.

    Citizens Advice logo.

    Help from Citizens Advice Scotland

    • Free advice on a range of topics, including benefits, debt, housing and consumer rights
    • Help with managing your money
    • Practical and impartial support online, in person or over the phone

    Call: 0800 028 1456 or 0800 144 8848 if you’re in England.

    Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

    Visit Citizens Advice

Don’t leave it too long to ask for help. With free impartial support, you could get your finances back on track. There are several organisations and charities who can offer support with credit agreements and debt repayment plans.

StepChange logo.

StepChange Debt Charity

  • Free, impartial advice for you and your finances 
  • A wide range of practical debt solutions
  • Support available online 24/7 or by phone 

Call: 0800 138 1111

Lines open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm and Sat 8am-4pm

Visit StepChange

Payplan logo.

PayPlan – free debt advice and support

  • Free, confidential debt advice  
  • A personalised action plan for your money 
  • Help available online or by phone

Call: 0800 280 2816

Lines open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm and Sat 9am-3pm. 

Visit PayPlan

 

Citizens Advice logo.

Help from Citizens Advice Scotland

  • Free advice on a range of topics, including benefits, debt, housing and consumer rights
  • Help with managing your money
  • Practical and impartial support online, in person or over the phone

Call: 0800 028 1456 or 0800 144 8848 if you’re in England.

Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Visit Citizens Advice

National Debtline logo.

National Debtline

  • Free, confidential debt advice 
  • Guides, fact sheets, budgeting tools and sample letters 
  • Advice via phone and online

Call: 0808 808 4000

Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-8pm and Sat 9.30am-1pm

Visit National Debtline

Remember, we’ll never get in touch to ask you to move money to another account, for your banking details or to take control of a computer. The organisations listed on this page won’t do this either.