If you run out of money or face an unexpected cost that you need to pay for now, this guide helps you find organisations that offer a range of urgent practical support depending on your circumstance.
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.
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 at Citizens Advice
- if you live in WalesOpens in a new window at Citizens Advice
- if you live in ScotlandOpens in a new window at Citizens Advice Scotland
- if you live in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window at Advice NI
- at your local councilOpens in a new window at 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
- 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
How to get emergency money from the government
If you 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 on benefits, but you must be on a low income.
Apply for the Household Support Fund
If you live in England, get in touch with your local council to see if you can apply for the Household Support Fund, which helps people struggling with everyday bills and expenses like:
- gas or electricity bills
- broadband or phone bills
- clothing
- essential transport costs such as repairing a car, buying a bicycle or paying for fuel.
There are separate schemes available if you’re living in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland:
If you live in Scotland, find out more about the Scottish Welfare Fund on the Scottish Government websiteOpens in a new window
If you live in Wales, find out more about the Discretionary Assistance Fund on the Welsh Government websiteOpens in a new window
If you live in Northern Ireland, find out more about changes to the Social Fund at nidirectOpens in a new window
To find your local council enter your postcode on GOV.UKOpens in a new window
Apply for Local Welfare Assistance
If you’re facing an emergency such as a broken washing machine or you need urgent help with food, clothing and energy bills and are vulnerable, there might be local help available. This is known as local welfare assistance.
If you apply, a decision as to whether to provide help and how much will be based on your individual situation.
- if you live in England, contact your council to see if they have a welfare assistance scheme and find help available in your area at End Furniture PovertyOpens in a new window
- if you live in Scotland, find out more about the Scottish Welfare FundOpens in a new window
- if you live in Wales, find out more about the Discretionary Assistance FundOpens in a new window
- if you live in Northern Ireland, find out more about Discretionary SupportOpens in a new window
You can also find help available in your area at End Furniture PovertyOpens in a new window
Money from the government if you’re already on benefits
Even if you’re already getting benefits it’s worth double-checking that you’re getting everything you’re entitled to.
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 on Universal Credit, there’s emergency support available, depending on your situation. You might be able to claim a Budgeting Advance or 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.
Find Help with baby costs
Help with baby costs
If you're worrying about how to pay for formula, food or even nappies, there is help available.
Join Healthy Start/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.
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.
There are lots of benefits and entitlements available if you’re pregnant or have a baby.
Find out more 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
Get a referral to access 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, or
- 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.
You can find your local baby bank by:
- searching online
- asking referral services
- using the interactive map on Little VillageOpens in a new window
- search using your postcode on NetmumsOpens in a new window
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.
Get help now
If you are threatened with eviction and need emergency help, contact:
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 AdvicelocalOpens in a new window and choose an advice topic to find links to tailored information for your area
Help if you’re in a domestic or financial abusive relationship
If you’re not in immediate danger, there are lots of organisations that can give you help and advice.
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 tool at Turn2UsOpens in a new window to find charities that could help.
- Sign up to the Lightning Reach PortalOOpens in a new window to find and apply for support from multiple providers.
- If you’re an Anglian Water customer, check if you qualify for their Extra Care Support serviceOpens in a new window that helps with discounted water tariffs and other help.
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, you can call Help through Hardship helplineOpens in a new window It’s a free phone service run by Trussell Trust and Citizens Advice.
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 Fund at Turn2usOpens in a new window
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
- 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
- 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.
Advicelocal
Advicelocal has an extensive list of where to get free legal adviceOpens in a new window from local and national independent advice agencies. It covers:
- 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.
Have you missed a payment?
If so, now is the time to get debt advice
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It’s free and confidential
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Gives you better ways of managing your debts and money
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Ensures you’re claiming all the right benefits and entitlements