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Benefits, grants and financial-hardship support.
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When facing financial difficulties, housing problems, family pressures, debt, disability-related challenges, or emotional wellbeing concerns, knowing where to find trusted support can make a significant difference.
Useful help now
These are direct routes to official or established support relevant to this guide.
Trusted Sources of Information, Advice, Support & Assistance
When facing financial difficulties, housing problems, family pressures, debt, disability-related challenges, or emotional wellbeing concerns, knowing where to find trusted support can make a significant difference.
Many organisations provide free, confidential, independent, and accessible advice to help individuals and families understand their rights, access support, challenge decisions, improve financial wellbeing, and navigate difficult situations.
Right First Time UK believes that access to accurate information and early support can help prevent problems escalating into crisis.
This page brings together some of the most widely recognised organisations offering support across financial assistance, benefits, debt, housing, family wellbeing, and mental health.
Understanding Your Rights to Advice & Support
Accessing support is not a sign of weakness.
Many people seek advice because of:
- Financial hardship
- Housing instability
- Disability
- Long-term illness
- Family separation
- Caring responsibilities
- Debt
- Mental health difficulties
- Employment issues
- Benefit disputes
- Cost of living pressures
Several laws and public duties help protect people seeking support, including:
- Equality Act 2010
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Care Act 2014
- Children Act 1989
- Welfare Reform Act 2012
- Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Consumer Rights Act 2015
These laws help ensure people can access support fairly and without unlawful discrimination.
Access to Work scheme. This scheme provides grants up to £69,260 per year to help individuals with
disabilities or health conditions get or stay in work.
1. Access to Work (For Employment)
This grant can be used to cover practical support in the workplace.
- Who is eligible: Anyone with a physical or mental health condition or disability that makes it hard to do your job, start a business, or attend interviews.
- What it covers: Specialist equipment/software, travel costs if you cannot use public transport, support workers or job coaches, and workplace adaptations.
- How to apply: You can apply online or by phone through the official GOV.UK Access to Work service.
Financial & Benefits Support
Understanding benefits, grants, welfare support, and financial assistance can sometimes feel complicated.
The following organisations provide information and support to help people understand their options.
GOV.UK
The official UK Government website provides information about:
- Benefits
- Universal Credit
- Housing support
- Disability support
- Employment rights
- Family support
- Cost of living assistance
- Appeals and complaints
Useful for:
- Checking eligibility
- Finding official guidance
- Accessing application forms
- Understanding government services
Website:
Benefits Information:
https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits
Benefits Calculator:
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators
Citizens Advice
Citizens Advice offers free, confidential, and independent advice on:
- Benefits
- Debt
- Housing
- Employment
- Consumer issues
- Family matters
- Cost of living concerns
Citizens Advice can help people understand their rights and access support.
Website:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Turn2us
Turn2us provides information on:
- Grants
- Benefits
- Financial support schemes
- Charitable funding
- Cost of living assistance
The Turn2us grants search tool may help identify support that people were unaware existed.
Website:
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper provides free guidance on:
- Budgeting
- Managing money
- Debt
- Benefits
- Pensions
- Savings
- Financial wellbeing
Supported by the Money and Pensions Service.
Website:
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk
Debt Support
Debt can affect anyone and often becomes easier to manage when support is accessed early.
Free and confidential debt advice is available through trusted organisations.
StepChange Debt Charity
StepChange provides:
- Debt advice
- Budgeting support
- Debt solutions
- Repayment planning
- Financial wellbeing support
Services are free and confidential.
Website:
National Debtline
National Debtline provides:
- Free debt advice
- Debt fact sheets
- Budgeting guidance
- Information about legal rights
- Support with debt solutions
Website:
https://www.nationaldebtline.org
Housing Support
Housing difficulties can affect wellbeing, family stability, financial security, and safety.
Support is available for people experiencing housing concerns, homelessness risks, or tenancy difficulties.
Shelter
Shelter is one of the UK's leading housing charities.
Support may include:
- Housing advice
- Homelessness support
- Eviction guidance
- Tenant rights information
- Housing law guidance
Useful for:
- Housing emergencies
- Rent arrears
- Homelessness prevention
- Temporary accommodation concerns
Website:
https://england.shelter.org.uk
Crisis
Crisis supports people experiencing homelessness and housing instability.
Support may include:
- Homelessness services
- Housing advice
- Employment support
- Crisis intervention
- Wellbeing support
Website:
Family Support
Families experiencing financial pressure, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, or emotional stress may benefit from specialist family support services.
Family Lives
Family Lives provides support relating to:
- Parenting
- Family wellbeing
- Relationship difficulties
- Child behaviour
- Family stress
- Emotional support
Useful for:
- Families under pressure
- Parents and carers
- Family communication difficulties
Website:
https://www.familylives.org.uk
Disability & Health Related Support
People living with disabilities, long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, mental health conditions, or caring responsibilities may require additional support.
Useful organisations include:
Disability Rights UK
Provides information on:
- Disability rights
- Benefits
- Independent living
- Equality protections
- Accessibility
Website:
https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org
Scope
Provides support relating to:
- Disability information
- Benefits guidance
- Employment support
- Community support
Website:
Carers UK
Provides support for unpaid carers.
Website:
Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing Support
Financial difficulties, housing concerns, family pressures, debt, and life challenges can affect emotional wellbeing.
Seeking support early can help reduce pressure and improve resilience.
Mind
Mind provides support relating to:
- Mental health conditions
- Emotional wellbeing
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mental health rights
- Accessing support services
Website:
Samaritans
Samaritans provide free, confidential emotional support for anyone struggling to cope.
Support is available 24 hours a day.
Website:
Telephone:
116 123
Free from UK phones.
NHS Mental Health Services
The NHS provides information and support relating to:
- Mental health conditions
- Crisis support
- Talking therapies
- Community mental health services
Website:
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health
Urgent Mental Health Support:
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health
Equality Rights & Advocacy Support
People experiencing discrimination, accessibility barriers, or difficulties accessing services may be entitled to support and legal protections.
Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS)
Provides information and advice relating to:
- Equality rights
- Disability discrimination
- Reasonable adjustments
- Human rights concerns
Website:
https://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Promotes equality, human rights, and fair treatment.
Website:
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com
Legal Advice & Advocacy
People may sometimes require specialist legal support.
Law Centres Network
Provides legal advice and support in many areas including:
- Housing
- Welfare benefits
- Employment
- Discrimination
Website:
Why Seeking Support Early Matters
Many problems become easier to manage when advice is accessed early.
Support organisations may help people:
- Understand their rights
- Access financial support
- Prevent homelessness
- Manage debt
- Improve wellbeing
- Access family support
- Challenge decisions
- Obtain advocacy
- Reduce stress and uncertainty
No one should feel they have to face financial, housing, family, or emotional difficulties alone.
If You Need Urgent Help
If you are experiencing:
- A mental health crisis
- Immediate risk of homelessness
- Domestic abuse
- Serious safeguarding concerns
- Risk of harm to yourself or others
Seek urgent support immediately.
Useful emergency contacts include:
Emergency Services: 999
NHS 111: 111
Samaritans: 116 123
Domestic Abuse Support:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/domestic-abuse-how-to-get-help
Important Information
The organisations listed on this page provide different types of support and may have different eligibility criteria, service areas, and operating arrangements.
Right First Time UK is not responsible for the services provided by external organisations and cannot guarantee the availability of support.
The information provided is for general guidance and awareness purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, medical, or professional advice.
If you require specialist advice, legal representation, crisis intervention, safeguarding support, or emergency assistance, contact the appropriate qualified professional or emergency service.
Everyone deserves access to information, support, dignity, fairness, and the opportunity to improve their wellbeing and circumstances.