Where can I get help and advice about benefits?

Citizens Advice can give you free, confidential, impartial and independent benefits advice.

As well as benefits advice, they can help you resolve problems with debt, housing and many more issues.

They also have a ‘Help to Claim’ service to support you with your Universal Credit application. Learn more in our guide Universal Credit explained. 

• online
• home visits
• face-to-face
• advice helpline
• email (in some cases).

Everyone.

Find your local branch to arrange an appointment, or view a list of phone numbers:

• England Citizens Advice
• Scotland Citizens Advice
• Wales Citizens Advice
• Northern Ireland Advice NI

Law Centres provide free legal advice and representation to disadvantaged people. They may be able to help you with expert advice if you have a complex benefit problem or you want to appeal against a decision made on your benefit entitlement.

As well as benefits and welfare rights advice, Law Centres offer legal advice on issues including employment and housing.

• face-to-face
• telephone (in some areas).

Anyone who can’t afford to pay for legal support.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, find your nearest one at Law Centres Network

In Scotland, find your nearest Law Centre on Shelter Scotland.

A Macmillan benefits adviser can help you work out what financial help you’re entitled to.

Macmillan offers specialist advice to help ease money worries.

This includes information on:

• loans
• grants
• benefits.

• face-to-face
• home visits
• telephone.

Anyone affected by cancer. 

Find one near you at  Macmillan Cancer Support

Some local branches of Age UK offer a free, confidential benefits advice service.

Practical assistance to make sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to.

• face-to-face
• home visits
• telephone
• help with completing claim forms.

Anyone who’s over State Pension age and living in the area covered by their local branch.

Call the Age UK Helpline:

• in England, on  0800 055 6112 or visit the Age UK website
• in Wales, on 0300 303 44 98 or visit the Age Cymru website.
• in Scotland, on 0800 12 44 222 or visit the Age Scotland website.
• in Northern Ireland, on 0808 808 7575 or visit the Age NI website.

Gingerbread provides advice and practical support for single parents, including advice on benefits in England and Wales.

Find more information on the Gingerbread website

Northern Ireland

Visit Parenting Focus You can also call them free on 0808 8010 722 (Monday to Thursday: 9.30am to 3.30pm, and Friday: 9.30am to 12.30pm).

If your problem is complex, Advicelocal can help you find free and impartial advice in your area on: 

• benefits 
• Council Tax 
• housing 
• employment 
• disability and social care 
• asylum and immigration. 

At advicelocal you can find a benefits specialist near you.

If you’re worried about keeping up with debt repayments, there’s lots of free, confidential help and advice available.

Our guides on help if you’re struggling to pay rent and mortgage payments have information and guidance on what to do if you’re worried about living costs.

If you have rent or mortgage arrears, or you’re worried about losing your home, Shelter offer confidential advice on a range of housing issues.

If you’re facing an emergency and have no money to pay for food, you might be able to use a food bank. 

You’ll usually need to get a referral to a foodbank before you can use it. Learn more in our guide Where can I get emergency help with money and food?