Money & Budgeting

Struggling Financially UK — Where to Get Free Help

Complete guide to free financial help and support UK. Debt advice, mental health support, benefits check, and organisations that can help when you're struggling.

By PocketWise · · 4 min read

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

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Sources

  1. MoneyHelper — Everyday money