We aim to make our website as accessible as possible. However if you use a screen reader and require debt advice you may find it easier to phone us instead. Our phone number is 0 8 0 0 1 3 8 1 1 1 1. Freephone (including all mobiles).
mum at the table with bills

Struggling to make important payments?

Free, online debt advice available now

Get debt help

Emergency help

i The help listed on this page is only available in the UK

What to do if you need emergency help with money and food


Who helps people urgently needing support for food and bills?

  • Trust funds
  • Credit unions
  • Councils
  • Energy providers
  • The Government
  • Charities

This page contains information on how to get help. Use the quick links below for emergency support:

Get the help you need now but think about long term finances too.

Whether you have one missed payment or several worrying debts, we can help you:

  • Work out your budget
  • See what savings you can make
  • Advise which payments to deal with first
  • Handle people chasing you for payments
  • Suggest how to deal with your debts based on your situation

Our advice is free and confidential.Get help now.

I need money now. Where can I borrow from fast?

Emergency credit

We do not recommend payday loans or other forms of high-cost credit.

They have have high interest and charges and cause a lot of trouble.

It is better to look at credit unions and government-run schemes that give quick, emergency loans to people.

Credit unions

Credit unions are local, member-owned alternatives to banks.

They have three main aims:

  • To offer loans with low interest rates
  • To help members save
  • To help give members financial advice and help

You need to be a member of a credit union to get a loan from them. Some will ask you to build up savings first.

  1. Find a credit union near you
  2. Get in touch with them
  3. Ask if they can help you

Find out more about credit unions here.

Grants

Turn2Us is a charity we work with. They help people get grants and access support services.

Contact them to see how they can help you.

Trust funds

We also work with a number of companies who provide ‘trust funds’.

These are for people who cannot afford insolvency services or energy bills.

Find out where to get a trust fund.

Help from your local council

Your council has a local welfare assistance scheme.

These schemes are to help people on low incomes.

Each council runs their own scheme with different rules.

Some schemes include small cash loans or grants, food vouchers or free used furniture.

mum at the table with bills

Worried you can't pay the bills?

Free, online debt advice available now

Get debt help

I have no food. Where can I go?

Foodbanks

Food banks provide food and essential household items.

Our partners at The Trussell Trust are the largest food bank organisers in the UK. They have over 1,200 foodbanks across the country .

We can refer you to them or you can use their website to find your local foodbank.

You can also find many locally run food banks online or on social media.

You need a referral to use a food bank. You can get one from:

  • Jobcentre Plus
  • Your social worker,
  • An advice provider like StepChange or Citizens Advice
  • A children’s centre,
  • Your local authority,
  • Police or probation workers, or,
  • Your GP, health visitor or other medical professional.

The food bank will make sure you get the vouchers or parcel that meets the needs of your household. This includes dietary requirements.

You will usually get:

  • Enough meals for three days
  • Toiletries, cleaning products, or other essential items
  • Small credit top-ups for gas or electric pre-payment meters

Food banks can also signpost you to other help in your area.

Free school meals

Your child may be eligible for free school meals. This can help to reduce some of your day-to-day costs.

Find out if your child is eligible for free school meals.

mum at the table with bills

Struggling to make important payments?

Free, online debt advice available now

Get debt help

I cannot pay my rent. What do I do?

Contact your landlord immediately

If you cannot pay your rent, contact your landlord or letting agency.

  • Show them your budget
  • Explain why you are struggling to pay
  • Offer them a payment plan based on what you can afford
  • If you do not, you risk eviction

They may not agree, but many will be reasonable. We can help you with this.

Read our guide to dealing with rent arrears.

Find out what to do if you are worried about being evicted.

Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)

If you are on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit but cannot afford your rent, you may be able to apply for a discretionary housing payment from your local council.

You will need to contact your local council to find out how to apply.

Can I get any financial support from the government?

Check your benefits

People in the UK miss out on billions of pounds in benefits and tax credits. This includes a range of discounts and support.

Check what you can get by using our free benefits calculator.

Budgeting loans

The government no longer offers crisis loans. You should apply for a budgeting loan instead.

You may be able to get this if you have an unexpected expense.

You must also be on one of these benefits for at least 26 weeks:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credits

You can use budgeting loans to help pay for things like:

  • Furniture
  • Appliances
  • Moving costs
  • Maternity expenses
  • Travel costs

The amount you can apply for depends on your situation.

Repayments come out of your benefits.

Hardship payments

Hardship payments are for people who have had benefits sanctions and cannot pay their essential bills.

Hardship payments apply to:

  • Universal Credit (UC)
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Read our guide about hardship payments and how to apply.

Short-term benefit advances

You may be able to apply for a short-term benefit advance.

This is when the benefit is paid early.

The advance is then repaid by deductions from future payments, usually over 12 weeks.

You can get a short-term benefit advance if:

  • You need money before your first benefits payment is made
  • You need money urgently before your benefits are increased
  • Your benefit will not be paid on its due date, for example because of technical problems

Most benefits can be applied for through your local Jobcentre Plus.

Read our guide to claiming benefits.

Can I stop my creditors chasing me for money?

Ask for a payment holiday

You can apply for a payment holiday from your:

  • Mortgage
  • Credit card
  • Loan
  • Hire purchase agreement

You need to make up the payments missed during a payment holiday. These get treated as arrears.

Interest and charges may continue to be added.

Use one of our template letters to contact your creditors.

You can also contact us for free help with your debts.

Breathing Space to deal with your money worries

Also called the Debt Respite Scheme.

Breathing Space stops your creditors from contacting you while you deal with your debts.

If eligible, you can get up to 60 days' break from interest, fees and court action.

Breathing Space is only available in England and Wales. In Scotland, the moratorium is a similar scheme, available for up to six months.

Read our guide to Breathing Space and find out if you can apply.

Priority bills

Some bills are called priorities because the impact of not paying them is greater.

You should pay these first:

  • Council tax
  • Rent
  • Mortgage
  • Gas & Electricity

Learn about which debts to pay first.

I can’t pay my utility bills, what can I do?

Energy arrears are priority debts.

Contact your supplier. They can discuss options with you.

Energy companies can offer:

  • Social tariffs (lower tariffs)
  • Hardship funds
  • Priority service registers

Some foodbanks can give small top-ups for pre-payment meters.

See our guide to dealing with energy bills for:

  • What to do if you owe the supplier money
  • How to make sure you are treated fairly

The Energy Saving Trust has tips for saving money on energy bills and applying for financial support.

Water bills

Water suppliers have support available for people on low incomes and/or benefits. 

Help varies between suppliers - read more about support from water companies.

Can I get help with my mortgage?

Speak to your mortgage provider as soon as you can.

They can help you set up a plan to pay back missed payments.

They may also be able to offer you:

  • A payment holiday
  • An interest only mortgage
  • A longer mortgage term
  • An assisted voluntary sale scheme

Help from the government may be available if you receive benefits.

Find out more about mortgage arrears

Mental health support

You are not alone. Support is available.

We work with many specialist organisations that help us advise people with money worries and mental health issues.

The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whatever you are dealing with, call the Samaritans for free help on 116 123.

Debt is a huge mental and emotional burden. We can offer some relief with free support and advice.

"They were so kind, they listened patiently and helped me through the process" Alison, Kent