If you or someone you care about is struggling to afford the essentials, like heating, food or rent, you're not alone. Whether it’s rising food and energy bills or a sudden change in income, financial pressure can affect anyone.
It can be hard to know where to turn, but support is out there.
On this page, you’ll find trusted organisations and tools that can help you:
- Check what benefits or grants you may be entitled to.
- Find local support with food, bills, and essentials.
- Access free advice on managing debt, energy, and more.
Asking for help takes courage. Wherever you start, whether it’s with a local advice centre, food bank, or council service, you should be met with kindness, respect, and support that makes a difference.
Check your entitlements and grants
We’re working with Turn2us, a national charity that offers practical support to anyone struggling with money. Their tools are designed to make sure you’re not missing out on money and support you’re eligible for.
Check you’re getting the benefits you’re entitled to
Whether you’re already receiving benefits or have never been able to claim before, you might be missing out on financial support for you and your household.
The tool is free, confidential and anonymous. Take 10 minutes to try the Turn2us Benefits Calculator and check what you can claim.
Try the Turn2us Benefits Calculator
Search for grants you don’t have to repay
Grants are money, products, or services given by charitable organisations. They don’t need to be paid back and don’t usually affect your benefits.
Different grants are available to different people depending on their circumstances. The Turn2us Grants Search will show you what grants you might be eligible for and how to apply for them.
Use the Turn2us Grants Search
Explore Personal Independence Payments (PIP) help
If you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition you might qualify for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
Created in collaboration with former claimants, this tool is designed to make a less stressful experience for those applying for PIP. The tool will help you by:
- Guiding you through the PIP application process.
- Providing personalised tips.
- Giving you advice on how to prioritise your wellbeing throughout the process.
Try the Turn2Us Personal Independence Payment (PIP) tool
These tools are maintained and provided by Turn2us. Read Turn2us’ privacy policy.
Struggling to buy food or essentials?
Food banks
Food banks provide emergency food parcels, usually tinned or dried goods, sometimes toiletries, to help you get by for a few days. There are over 2,500 food banks across the UK, around half of which are run by a charity called Trussell (formerly known as The Trussell Trust) (House of Commons Library, 2025). Search for Trussell food banks near you.
The Independent Food Aid Network is a network of organisations that operate throughout the UK, including food banks. They may be able to signpost you to organisations near you who can help with food, as well as other support.
To get help from a food bank you’ll usually need to be referred from a local organisation or professional. This could be something your doctor, health visitor, social worker, local council or advice service could help with. Speak to them about your situation and they may provide you with a food voucher, which you can exchange for a food parcel at a food bank.
Some food banks also participate in fuel voucher schemes to help top up your energy meter.
Community fridges
A community fridge is a place where surplus food is donated by local businesses, supermarkets, or individuals and made freely available for anyone to take. They help reduce food waste and support people who may be struggling to afford food. They’re often run by local volunteers or charities and can be found in community centres, libraries, or other public spaces.
There’s no referral or sign-up needed. They simply ask that you only take what you need, so that there’s enough to go around. You might find items such as fresh fruit and vegetables, unopened fruit juices or sealed packaged foods.
Community meals
A community meal is a free or low-cost shared meal open to everyone. They’re usually hosted by local groups, charities, or churches and offer a warm, welcoming space to enjoy good food and meet others. You don’t need a referral you can just turn up. It’s a great way to connect with your community, especially if you’re feeling isolated or finding it hard to afford meals.
- In England and Wales, FoodCycle is a charity that offers community meals using surplus food. Find a FoodCycle meal near you.
- In Scotland and Northern Ireland local community groups or advice services can tell you about community meals near you or try searching online.
Help with food and milk if you are pregnant or have young children
Raising a young child can be expensive, and if you're pregnant or have little ones at home, making sure they get the right nutrition is vital but not always easy when money is tight. There are schemes across the UK that can help you afford healthy food, milk, and vitamins for your family.
- If you’re in England, Northern Ireland or Wales, and are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk through the NHS’s Healthy Start Scheme. Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme.
- If you’re in Scotland, you may be able to claim Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods which are payments that help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child. Best Start Foods is a payment to help you buy healthy foods during pregnancy and when your child is under three. Find out more about Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.
Advice and support for money, debt and bills
Your local free advice service
Money worries can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face them alone. Charities and advice services offer free, confidential help with budgeting, debt, and checking what support you're entitled to. They can also refer you to a food bank if needed.
- If you're in England - See how Citizens Advice can help you if you need help with debt or money issues.
- If you're in Northern Ireland - Advice NI Independent Advice Network provide information on how you can access support and offer advice on managing your bills.
- In Scotland - Citizens Advice Scotland has information on support with debt and money.
- In Wales - Citizens Advice has resources and advice on debt and money concerns.
Are you struggling with your energy bills?
High energy bills are a major worry for many households. If you're struggling, there are steps you can take and organisations that may be able to help.
It’s understandable if you feel anxious about speaking to your energy supplier, but letting them know about your situation can open up options like repayment plans, budget billing, or extra support during difficult times.
If you don’t want to start by speaking to them, other options are available:
- Get help with energy bills in England.
- Get help with energy bills in Northern Ireland.
- Get help with energy bills in Scotland.
- Get help with energy bills in Wales.
It’s also worth asking your energy supplier if they offer any grants to help pay off any energy debt you may have. If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales you may be able to get support from the British Gas Energy Trust. You don’t have to be a British Gas customer, but you’ll need to get money/debt advice first so contact your local advice charity.
You could also try the Turn2us Grants Search and see if there are any grants that could help you.
Your local council may be able to offer you financial support
If you need urgent help, your local council may be able to support you with essential costs like energy or water bills, food, clothing, or household items such as a cooker.
This kind of support is known by different names depending on where you live, such as Welfare Assistance, Household Support, the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF), or the Welfare Fund Crisis Grant. What’s available, and how to apply, varies from council to council.
To find out what help you might be eligible for, it’s best to contact your local council directly.
Depending on your circumstances, your council may be able to reduce your council tax bill too.
Do you need support with beds, bedding and essential furniture?
If you need help with beds and bedding there may be charities local to you who can help you get what you need.
- Zarach are a charity that help families specifically with beds and bedding. If you’re in Liverpool, Romford, Stockport, Stoke, Tees Valley or West Yorkshire they may be able to help you. Visit Zarach's website to find out more about the help they offer.
- Some local welfare charities or organisations also offer furniture assistance. Ask your local advice service such as Citizens Advice or Advice NI.
- You may also be able to get help from your local authority. End Furniture Poverty have a search tool to help you find welfare assistance from your local authority.
Are you struggling with your mental health?
Financial worries can take a toll on your mental health and wellbeing. So, if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed, please don’t struggle in silence. If you're feeling overwhelmed, your GP is a good first step. They can talk through what you're experiencing and connect you with the right support, including counselling or mental health services.
If you need to speak to someone right now, you can call Samaritans on 116 123. If you prefer to text, you can contact Shout on 85258.
Financial support at school
If you're finding it hard to cover school-related costs, like meals, uniforms, supplies or school trips, help may be available. You may be eligible for free school meals or be able to access funds for families who need extra support.
It’s completely understandable to feel hesitant or embarrassed about asking, but schools are used to having these conversations and want to help. You’re not alone, and they shouldn’t judge you.
If your child’s school has a business manager, they’re a good person to contact. But you can also speak to the school office or reception staff they can point you in the right direction and help you access support discreetly and respectfully.
More about applying for free school meals
Even if you live in an area where all children get free school meals it’s worth still applying if you’re eligible. It could unlock additional benefits for you or mean your child’s school can access extra funding to support learning and wellbeing.
What to do next
- Use the Turn2us Calculators to see what benefits or grants you might be eligible for.
- Explore your local support: food banks, community fridges, meals or council assistance.
- Reach out to a free advice service, ask them to help you plan next steps.
- Keep track: write down who you’ve contacted and what they said.
- Be kind to yourself, small steps can lead to change.
You don’t need to do this alone. Start somewhere, the first step is reaching out.
Need a helping hand? We’ve got you.
Whether you need practical support or some advice, we've got useful information on our website to help you, or someone you care for. You can also find out about our services near you.
Find out about children, young people and their families we've helped.
Everyone deserves to feel like they belong: valued, supported and full of hope. And that’s how we aim to make everyone who comes through our doors feel.