Find out where to get urgent free help and support if you’ve run out of money, are struggling, or need to pay an unexpected cost.
Where can I get emergency help with money and food?
Help with food and essential costs
If you have no money to pay for food and essentials, your local foodbank can give you a few days’ supply of food, vouchers for gas and electricity if you’re on a prepayment meter, toiletries and baby items.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
Get a referral to access a foodbank
You’ll usually need to get a referral to a foodbank before you can use it. You can get a referral from:
- your GP or health visitor
- your support worker
- your local council
- your social worker
- a local charity, like Citizens Advice
- the police, and
- your child’s school.
You can get a referral for yourself and any family members you live with, including your partner. When an organisation refers you to a foodbank, they’ll give you a voucher and tell you where the foodbank is.
Find your nearest referral organisation:
- if you live in EnglandOpens in a new window on Citizens Advice
- if you live in WalesOpens in a new window on Citizens Advice
- if you live in ScotlandOpens in a new window on Citizens Advice Scotland
- if you live in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window on Advice NI
- at your local councilOpens in a new window on GOV.UK.
Go to your referred foodbank
You can take your voucher to the foodbank to swap for food and essentials.
If you’ve got your voucher but you’re not able to travel, your nearest foodbank might be able to deliver. Contact them to find out.
Some food banks put a limit on the number of times you can use them. If you find yourself relying on them too often, they’ll be able to help you find other support.
Search online to find your nearest foodbank:
- Independent Food Aid NetworkOpens in a new window for a list of independent foodbanks.
- Trussell TrustOpens in a new window operates a network of foodbanks across the UK.
Our blog What to do if you can’t afford food also explains ways to get free food from the supermarket and free meals
Other places to get food
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland:
- Olio is a free app where neighbours and local businesses share surplus foodOpens in a new window. Download it to find free food near you.
- Community shops and pantries offer low-cost foodOpens in a new window to members, often for a small weekly fee. Search for your nearest one through Feeding Britain.
England and Wales only:
- FoodCycle runs free community mealsOpens in a new window across the UK using surplus food. Find your nearest session on the FoodCycle website.
- Food clubs offer affordable food packages on a subscription basisOpens in a new window
- Fair for You runs a Food Club Card schemeOpens in a new window — find out more on the Fair for You website.
How to get emergency money from the government
If you live in England and can’t afford food or essentials, or have been hit by a disaster like a fire or flood, your local council can help. You don’t have to be receiving benefits, but you must be on a low income.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
Apply for emergency help
If you're struggling with everyday bills and expenses, or facing an emergency such as a broken washing machine, there may be help available depending on where you live. Any decision about whether to provide help and how much will be based on your individual situation. Help can cover things like:
- gas or electricity bills
- broadband or phone bills
- food
- clothing
- essential transport costs such as repairing a car, buying a bicycle or paying for fuel.
Find the right scheme for where you live:
England: contact your local councilOpens in a new window on GOV.UK to apply for the Crisis and Resilience Fund or to see if they have a local welfare assistance schemeOpens in a new window on the End Furniture Poverty website.
Scotland: find out more about the Scottish Welfare FundOpens in a new window on the Scottish Government site.
Wales: apply for help with essentials through the Discretionary Assistance FundOpens in a new window on the Welsh Government website.
Northern Ireland: find out more about the Social FundOpens in a new window and Discretionary Support on nidirect.
Money from the government if you’re already receiving benefits
Even if you’re already receiving benefits it’s worth double-checking that you’re getting everything you’re entitled to.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
Check your benefits
You might be entitled to benefits you didn’t know about.
- use our Benefits calculator to check which benefits you can claim
- for a full benefits check from a specialist near youOpens in a new window visit Advicelocal.
Get a Budgeting Loan or a Budgeting Advance
If you’re receiving Universal Credit, you might be able to get a Budgeting Advance. If you receive certain other benefits, you might be able to get a Budgeting Loan. Budgeting Advances or Loans can help cover things like:
- a one-off item, for example replacing a broken fridge
- work-related expenses, for example buying uniform or tools
- unexpected expenses
- repairs to your home
- travel expenses
- maternity expenses
- funeral expenses
- moving costs or rent deposit
- essential items, like clothes.
Our guide Budgeting Loans and Budgeting Advances will help you find out how it works, if you’re eligible, and how to apply
Help with baby costs
If you're worrying about how to pay for formula, food or even nappies, there is help available.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
Join Healthy Start or Best Start Foods scheme
If you’re pregnant or caring for at least one child under the age of four, you might be able to join the Healthy Start schemeOpens in a new window This is a card loaded with credit that can be used in supermarkets towards:
- formula and milk
- fruit and vegetables
- fresh, dried, and tinned pules
- vitamins.
The card is topped up every four weeks while you’re eligible.
In Scotland, there’s a similar scheme called Best Start FoodsOpens in a new window for children under three.
You can learn more about benefits and entitlements in our guide What benefits can I claim when I'm pregnant or have a baby?
If your children are in school, we have a blog about how to get free school meals
Find your local baby bank
If you’re struggling to get essentials for your baby, a baby bank can help. They can provide:
- baby equipment
- clothes and toiletries
- formula and milk
- baby food
- nappies and wipes
- toys.
Each bank has its own rules but usually you’ll need a referral to access one from:
- a midwife
- a family support worker
- a health visitor
- a foodbank
- a social worker, or
- a children’s centre.
Each baby bank has its own rules. Many baby banks do not require a referral — some are hybrid services and some allow self-referral, meaning families can contact them directly. Where a referral is needed, you can usually get one from:
- searching online
- asking referral services
- finding your nearest baby bankOpens in a new window on Baby Bank Alliance.
Help if you’re at immediate risk of homelessness
There are several organisations that can help you, including your local council. Reach out to them if you might be at risk of homelessness.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
Get help now
If you are threatened with eviction and need emergency help, contact:
Apply for emergency housing through your local council
Each local council will have their own criteria, but you'll usually need to apply and join a waiting list.
Available homes are normally given to those with the highest priority, so there's no guarantee you'll get one. See how to apply where you live:
- England and Wales: apply for council housingOpens in a new window on GOV.UK
- Scotland: if you're homeless or have nowhere safe to stayOpens in a new window see mygov.scot
- Northern Ireland: get emergency housingOpens in a new window by contacting Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).
Get advice from your nearest Advicelocal
You can also get free and impartial advice from your nearest Advicelocal to help with problems with your:
- benefits
- Council Tax
- housing
- employment
- disability and social care, and
- asylum and immigration.
Enter a postcode on Advicelocal and choose an advice topic to find links to tailored information for your area
Help if you’re experiencing domestic or financial abuse
If you’re not in immediate danger, there are lots of organisations that can give you help and advice.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
Get help and advice
- Find a list of organisations that can give you help and advice in our guide Financial abuse: spotting the signs and leaving safely.
- Find out how to separate your finances, keep making essential payments and open new accounts in your own name in our guide Taking back control after financial abuse.
- If you have missed payments and are struggling with debts as a result of domestic abuse, find your local debt service with our debt advice locator tool.
If you or your children are in immediate danger dial 999 to call the police
If you can’t talk dial 999 followed by 55
Other grants and help
Get more money from local charities or your local credit union. You can get help with job-related expenses and find support for your mental health.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
Local charities and organisations
If you’re on a low income, you might be able to get extra money from local charities and organisations, which you won’t have to pay back.
- Use the Grants Search toolOpens in a new window on Turn2Us to find charities that could help.
- Sign up to the Lightning Reach PortalOpens in a new window to find and apply for support from multiple providers.
- Check if you qualify for cheaper water bills. Find out how to apply for a social tariff with your water company:
- if you’re in England or Wales, apply for a social tariffOpens in a new window on Consumer Council for Water (CCW)
- if you’re in Scotland, apply for a social tariffOpens in a new window on Turn2Us
- if you’re in Northern Ireland, you won’t pay water charges but you can ask for extra helpOpens in a new window from the Consumer Council’s Customer Care Register.
Apply to your local credit union
If you need to borrow money fast, you can apply to your local credit union to find out what sort of loans and interest rates are available. Our guide Borrowing from a credit union can help you find out how it works and how to find one.
Contact the Help through Hardship helpline
If you’re worried about money and struggling to afford essentials:
- if you live in England and Wales, you can call the Help through Hardship helplineOpens in a new window It’s a free phone service run by the Trussell Trust and Citizens Advice
- if you live in Scotland, you can get help from the Food Aid NetworkOpens in a new window, or
- Advice NI can helpOpens in a new window, if you live in Northern Ireland.
Help with costs while job hunting or starting work
If you’re looking for a job and getting Universal Credit, ask your work coach about how they can support you. The Flexible Support Fund can help with pay for:
- work clothes
- transport and fuel costs
- special equipment, and
- childcare costs.
Find out more about the Flexible Support FundOpens in a new window on Turn2us.
Help if you’re struggling with your mental health
Money problems can quickly become overwhelming affecting our mental health. Our guide Money problems and poor mental wellbeing can help you:
- deal with debt
- find out what to do if you think you’ve been unfairly treated by a creditor
- find out how to manage your money if you’re in hospital
- get someone to help you manage your money
- find out what benefits you might qualify for if you have poor mental health
- find out where to get help if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Where can I get free legal advice?
There’s lots of ways you can get free legal advice or support in court.
Follow these steps to work out what you need to do:
Advicelocal
If you need legal or financial adviceOpens in a new window, Advice Local can help. It connects you with independent advice organisations across the UK who can give you support on a range of issues, including benefits, work, money and housing.
If you live in England or Wales, Age UK has a detailed guide on where to get legal and financial adviceOpens in a new window on matters like welfare benefits, housing, employment, Council Tax, asylum and immigration.
Law Centres Network
The Law Centres Network has a directory of local law centresOpens in a new window in England for people who can’t afford a lawyer. There’s also a directory for other legal advice services if there isn’t a law centre in your area.