If you need help now

If you are struggling to cope or feel unsafe

If you are in emotional distress or feel you cannot keep yourself safe, you do not have to face it alone.

• Samaritans — free, any time, day or night: call 116 123.
• NHS — for urgent mental health help, call 111 and choose the mental health option.
• If life is at immediate risk, call 999.

If you have no money for food or essentials

If you cannot afford food, heating or other essentials right now:

• Your local council may offer help through its welfare assistance or household support scheme. Find your council on GOV.UK — find your local council.
• Citizens Advice can help you access a food bank and check for emergency support.
• If you already get benefits, you may be able to ask the DWP about a short-term advance or budgeting help — see GOV.UK.

If you need help with a benefit claim

This website explains how the system works, but it cannot advise on your individual claim. For free, confidential help with your own claim, decision or appeal, you can contact a local advice service. The official starting point for forms and phone lines is GOV.UK.

A note on this page

The organisations above are independent of this website. We list them because they are well-known, free sources of urgent help in the UK. Always check the official contact details before relying on them.