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.
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:
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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:
- 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.
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
Energy (gas and electricity)
Although energy bills are very high at the moment, experts have predicted that energy prices will start falling.
Keep a close eye on energy prices using comparison websites, such as Which?Opens in a new window, and be ready to switch when better deals become available.
Mobile phone and Sim-only contracts
Making sure you’re on the right deal and not paying for calls, texts and data you don’t use, or regularly going over your allowance, is a great way to cut costs.
MoneySavingExpert's cheap mobile finderOpens in a new window and Which? comparing mobile phonesOpens in a new window are two useful comparison sites to try – just watch out for any fees if you decide to leave an existing contract early.
Find out more in our guide How to save money on your mobile phone
Broadband, landline phone and TV
If your current contract has ended, you can often make large savings by switching to a cheaper phone, TV or broadband deal.
If you’re looking for a package deal of broadband, phone and/or TV, you can try MoneySavingExpert’s ‘Bundle’Opens in a new window search – although always check if it’s cheaper getting things separately.
You could also take a look at Ofcom-approved comparison sitesOpens in a new window
Find out more in our guide How to reduce your home phone and internet bill
Bank accounts
Many bank accounts come with perks such as interest-free overdrafts, free overseas spending and cashback. Some might also offer an incentive if you switch your existing account – where all your payments are automatically moved over for you.
Our MoneyHelper compare bank accounts tool helps you view account features, fees and charges or Which? bank accounts advice guidesOpens in a new window and MoneySavingExpert review on current accountsOpens in a new window
If you live in Northern Ireland, you can also use the Consumer Council’s Current Account Comparison Table
Find out more in our guide How to choose the right bank account