Struggling Financially UK — Where to Get Free Help

If you’re struggling financially, you’re not alone. Help is available — here’s where to find it.

Where to Start

If You’re Overwhelmed

Feeling	First Step
Don’t know where to start	Call Citizens Advice
Debt is main issue	Call StepChange
Can’t afford food	Contact local food bank
Mental health affected	Samaritans 116 123
Homeless risk	Council immediately

Key Message

Remember
Help is free	Don’t pay for it
You’re not alone	Millions struggle
No judgement	Advisers understand
Take first step	It gets easier

Free Debt Advice

Main Organisations

Organisation	Contact	Speciality
StepChange	0800 138 1111	Full debt advice
National Debtline	0808 808 4000	Phone/web advice
Citizens Advice	citizensadvice.org.uk	All money issues
Money Helper	0800 138 7777	Government service
PayPlan	0800 280 2816	Debt solutions

What They Help With

Service	They Can
Budget review	Help you plan
Priority debts	Identify what matters
Debt solutions	DRO, IVA, bankruptcy
Creditor contact	Negotiate for you
Benefits check	What you’re entitled to

Why Use Them

Benefit	Details
Free	Never costs anything
Confidential	Private
Expert	Know the system
Non-judgmental	Understanding
Effective	Often better outcomes

Benefits Check

You May Be Missing Out

Benefit	Commonly Unclaimed
Pension Credit	£3+ billion unclaimed
Universal Credit	Many don’t apply
Attendance Allowance	For older people
Council Tax Reduction	Often forgotten
PIP	Not always claimed

How to Check

Tool	Website
entitledto	entitledto.co.uk
Turn2us	benefits.turn2us.org.uk
Policy in Practice	betteroffcalculator.co.uk

What to Check For

Category	Benefits
Low income	Universal Credit
Children	Child Benefit, Tax-Free Childcare
Disability	PIP, Attendance Allowance
Caring	Carer’s Allowance
Housing	Housing Benefit/UC housing element
Pensioner	Pension Credit

Emergency Help

If You Can’t Afford Food

Option	How to Access
Trussell Trust food banks	Referral from council/GP/charity
Independent food banks	Check locally
Community fridges	No referral needed
School meals	Apply through school
Healthy Start vouchers	For pregnant/young children

If You Can’t Afford Energy

Help	Where
Household Support Fund	Your council
Warm spaces	Local libraries, community centres
Fuel vouchers	Council or charities
Emergency credit	Contact supplier

If You Can’t Pay Rent/Mortgage

Contact	For
Landlord/lender	Immediately
Council	Housing options
Shelter	0808 800 4444
Mortgage help	nationaldebtline.org

Council Help

Household Support Fund

Feature	Details
Government money	Distributed by councils
Can help with	Energy, food, essentials
Apply to	Your local council
Eligibility	Low income/crisis

Local Welfare Assistance

Support	Varies by Council
Crisis payments	Emergency situations
Household items	White goods etc
Fuel support	Prepayment vouchers
Food support	Referrals/grants

How to Find Local Help

Step	Action
1	Go to council website
2	Search “help with bills” or “crisis support”
3	Or call Citizens Advice
4	They know local schemes

Mental Health Support

Financial Stress and Mental Health

Truth	Details
Linked	Money and mental health
Common	You’re not alone
Help available	For both
No shame	In asking

Where to Get Support

Organisation	Contact
Samaritans	116 123 (24/7)
Mind	0300 123 3393
Money and Mental Health	moneyandmentalhealth.org
NHS	GP or 111
Crisis	Text SHOUT to 85258

Extra Protections

If Mental Health Affects Finances	Available
Tell creditors	May get extra time
Breathing Space	60-day pause on debt
Extra consideration	Required by law

Getting Organised

First Steps

Priority	Action
1	List all debts
2	List all income
3	List essential expenses
4	Do benefits check
5	Get free advice

What to Gather

Document	Why
Bank statements	3 months
Pay slips	Recent
Benefit letters	All
Bills	Outstanding
Debt letters	Current

Priority Order

Type	Priority
Mortgage/rent	Highest
Council tax	Very high
Energy	High
Water	High
Court fines	High
Credit cards	Lower
Catalogues	Lower

Debt Solutions

If Debts Are Unmanageable

Solution	For
Debt Management Plan	Affordable payments
Debt Relief Order	Under £30,000 debt, low income
Individual Voluntary Arrangement	Higher debts, income
Bankruptcy	Very serious debt
Breathing Space	Temporary pause

Get Advice First

Never	Instead
Pay for debt advice	Use free services
Ignore debts	Get help
Make promises you can’t keep	Be realistic
Take high-interest loans	Explore options

Grants and Charitable Help

Finding Grants

Resource	Use
Turn2us	Grants search tool
Your employer	May have schemes
Professional bodies	By career
Local charities	Council websites

Common Grants

For	Check
Energy debt	British Gas Energy Trust
White goods	Many charities
Families	Family Fund
Illness	Health-related charities

Practical Tips

Immediate Wins

Action	Potential Saving
Benefits check	Hundreds per month
Council tax discount	25% if single
Prescriptions check	£11+ per item
Energy tariff	Hundreds per year

Things to Cancel/Reduce

Review	Possible Action
Subscriptions	Cancel unused
TV package	Downgrade
Phone contract	Switch when able
Insurance	Compare prices

Income Boost Ideas

Option	Details
Sell unused items	Facebook, Gumtree
Benefits check	Claim all entitled
Bank rewards	Switching bonuses
Cashback	On shopping

Summary

Key Contacts

Need	Who
Debt advice	StepChange 0800 138 1111
General advice	Citizens Advice
Benefits check	entitledto.co.uk
Emergency	Your council
Mental health	Samaritans 116 123

Immediate Actions

Priority	Action
1	Call one of the free helplines
2	Do a benefits check online
3	Contact council about support
4	Don’t ignore the situation

Key Messages

Remember
Help is free	Never pay for debt advice
You’re not alone	Millions in same situation
Small steps	Start somewhere
It can improve	With right action
Reach out	Help is there