Information and Support – Debt, Hardship and Homelessness
If you, or someone you know, have been affected by debt, hardship or homelessness, the following organisations may be able to help.
Debt
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers:
The Money Advice Service, The Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Webchat available
Phone 0800 138 7777
National Debtline
National Debtline offers free, impartial, debt advice.
Phone: 0808 808 4000
StepChange Debt Charity
StepChange Debt Charity helps people in financial difficulty by providing free, confidential, independent and realistic debt advice.
Helpline: 0800 138 1111
Hardship
Citizens Advice Service
Citizens Advice Service provides information on benefits, employment and housing and help on debt, credit and legal issues.
Turn2us
Turn2us is a national financial security charity offering practical support to help people gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services.
Phone: 0808 802 2000
The Trussell Trust
The Trussell Trust works with local communities to run foodbanks that provide three days’ emergency food and support to people in crisis.
The British Red Cross
The British Red Cross support line provides support in more than 200 languages to people who are lonely, worried and finding it difficult to access food or medication in the UK.
Phone: 0808 196 3651
Homelessness
If you, or someone you know, have been made homeless or are affected by homelessness, the following organisations may be able to help.
Crisis
Crisis works with single homeless people and delivers services including education, employment, housing and well-being services addressing individual needs.
Phone on 08000 384 838
Shelter
Shelter helps people struggling with bad housing or homelessness, via their website, helpline and face to face services.
Phone: 0808 800 4444
Shelter Cymru
Shelter Cymru provides free specialist legal advice and advocacy to anyone with housing difficulties in Wales.
Phone: 08000 495 495
Northern Ireland Housing Executive
If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, you should contact the NIHE as soon as possible.
Phone: 034 4892 0900
The Welcome Organisation
The Welcome Organisation helps homeless and vulnerable people in Northern Ireland including housing, health surgeries and activity groups.
Phone: 028 9024 0424 (out of hours: 07753 807649)
Other sources of information
These organisations may refer to other support services that the BBC has not necessarily verified.
Advice Now
Advice from the Government
England
Visit the UK Government website
Northern Ireland
Visit NI Direct's website
Scotland
Visit the Scottish Government's public services website
Wales
Related Information and Support
If you have also been affected by addiction, organisations listed on our Addiction support page may be able to help.
You can find current information and support for issues covered by Action Line on the BBC Action Line website.