Free help services

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Support for women experiencing domestic abuse, and for anyone worried about someone.

24 hours, every day · Free to call · Interpreter on request

Live Fear Free (Wales)

Help in Wales for anyone experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence.

Text 07860 077333

24 hours, every day · Free to call

Men’s Advice Line

Help for men experiencing domestic abuse.

Monday to Friday, 10am–5pm · Free to call · Interpreter on request

Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line

Support for anyone aged 16 or over affected by rape or sexual abuse, at any time in their life.

24 hours, every day · Free to call · Interpreter on request

Karma Nirvana — forced marriage and honour-based abuse

Help if you are being forced to marry or controlled in the name of ‘honour’.

Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm · Free to call

Childline (for children and young people)

Free, private help for children and young people about anything that worries them.

24 hours, every day · Free to call

NSPCC Helpline (worried about a child)

For adults who are worried about a child’s safety.

Monday to Friday, 10am–4pm · Free to call · Interpreters in over 200 languages

Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline

If you are forced to work, can’t leave, have had your passport taken or are told you owe a debt.

8am–6pm, every day · Free to call · Interpreter on request

Report Fraud (replaced Action Fraud)

Report scams, fraud and cyber crime. You can also report online at any time.

Phone any time (fewer advisers 8pm–8am) · Costs the same as a normal call

159 — call your bank safely

If someone calls about your bank account, hang up and call 159 to reach your own bank.

Costs the same as a normal call

True Vision — report hate crime online

Report a hate crime online, for example because of your nationality, religion or disability.

Shelter helpline (England)

Free housing advice if you are homeless, have nowhere to stay tonight or could lose your home.

Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm · Free to call · Interpreter on request

Shelter Cymru urgent helpline (Wales)

Urgent housing and homelessness advice in Wales.

Monday to Friday, 9am–4pm · Free to call

Find your local council

Your council must help if you are homeless or could be within 8 weeks (England). Enter your postcode to find it.

StreetLink — someone sleeping rough

Tell local outreach teams about someone sleeping rough so they can offer help.

Housing Ombudsman (council and housing association homes)

Complaints about social landlords, after you have used the landlord’s own complaints process.

October 2026: after an IT incident, new complaints can’t be made online — email info@housing-ombudsman.org.uk or call

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 9am–5pm; Thu 9am–3.30pm · Costs the same as a normal call

Universal Credit helpline

Help with a Universal Credit claim or problems making one.

Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm · Free to call

Citizens Advice — Help to Claim (England)

Help to apply for Universal Credit, up to your first correct payment.

Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm · Free to call · Interpreter on request

Citizens Advice — Help to Claim (Wales)

Help to apply for Universal Credit in Wales.

Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm · Free to call · Interpreter on request

Citizens Advice Adviceline (England)

Free advice on benefits, work, debt, housing and more.

Usually Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm · Free to call

Citizens Advice Advicelink (Wales)

Free advice in Wales on benefits, work, debt, housing and more.

Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 9am–1pm · Free to call

Turn2us benefits calculator

A free online check of which benefits you may be able to get.

Trussell — food banks and Help through Hardship

Find a food bank and get a food voucher. The helpline checks benefits and grants and gives emergency help.

Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm · Free to call · Interpreter on request

StepChange — debt advice

Free debt advice and plans to pay off debts.

Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 9am–2pm · Free to call

National Debtline

Free, confidential debt advice by phone and online.

Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat 9.30am–1pm · Free to call

MoneyHelper (government-backed)

Free, impartial help with money, pensions and budgeting.

Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm · Free to call

Child Benefit Office

Questions about claiming or changing Child Benefit.

Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm · Costs the same as a normal call

Energy Ombudsman

Free help with complaints against an energy supplier that hasn’t sorted out your problem.

Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm · Costs the same as a normal call · Interpreters in over 200 languages

Funeral Expenses Payment (Bereavement Service)

Help with funeral costs if you get certain benefits.

Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm · Free to call

NHS Low Income Scheme (help with health costs)

Help with prescriptions, dental, eye care and travel to hospital if you have a low income.

Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, Sat 9am–3pm · Costs the same as a normal call

Acas helpline

Free, confidential advice on pay, rights at work and problems with an employer.

Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm · Costs the same as a normal call · Free interpreters in over 100 languages

Fair Work Agency — report serious abuse or exploitation

Threats, a taken passport, wages held back or being controlled at work. For other pay problems, use the online complaint form.

Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm (voicemail at other times) · Free to call · Interpreter on request

Pay and work rights complaint form

Report unpaid wages, pay below the minimum wage or agency problems to the government online.

Work Rights Centre

Free employment and immigration advice for migrant workers on low incomes. Website in Ukrainian and Russian.

Usually by online form; call if you have no email and they will call back

Costs the same as a normal call

National Insurance number helpline

Help applying for a National Insurance number.

Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm · Free to call

DWP careers advice (replaced the National Careers Service)

Free careers advice and course finder for adults in England.

Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm · Free to call

UKVI — eVisa and UKVI account help

If you can’t sign in, can’t see your eVisa or can’t get a share code. Staff can’t give immigration advice.

Choose option 3

Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat–Sun 9.30am–4.30pm · Costs the same as a normal call

UKVI contact centre — visa questions

General questions about visas and applications, including the Ukraine schemes. You can ask to speak Ukrainian.

Choose option 2

Mon–Thu 9am–4.45pm, Fri 9am–4.30pm · Costs the same as a normal call · Ukrainian on request

Find a registered immigration adviser

Check that an adviser is registered with the Immigration Advice Authority (formerly OISC), or find one near you. Some charities give free advice.

Migrant Help — asylum helpline

Free advice on the asylum process and asylum support (housing and money), and help with problems.

24 hours, every day · Free to call

Refugee Council Infoline

Information for people seeking asylum and refugees in England. You can talk in your language.

Mondays and Thursdays, 9.30am–12.30pm · Free to call · Interpreters

Wales Sanctuary Service

Support for refugees and people seeking asylum in Wales.

Free to call

Right to Remain toolkit

A free step-by-step online guide to the immigration and asylum system.

Embassy of Ukraine in the UK

Ukrainian passports, documents and consular help. Use only the official website.

Civil Legal Advice (legal aid)

Checks if you can get legal aid and connects you with a legal adviser.

Mon–Fri 9am–8pm, Sat 9am–12.30pm · Costs the same as a normal call · Interpreter on request

Find a Law Centre

Law Centres give free legal advice and representation. Search by postcode.

Register with a GP

Anyone in England can register with a GP for free. You don’t need ID, proof of address or immigration status.

Doctors of the World — advice line (charity)

Free phone advice for anyone in the UK, whatever their immigration status, on registering with a GP and getting NHS care. Not an emergency service.

If you can’t get through, email clinic@doctorsoftheworld.org.uk

Tuesday to Thursday, 10am–12pm · Free to call · Interpreting available

Mind Infoline

Information about mental health, treatment and where to get help near you. Not a crisis line.

Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm · Costs the same as a normal call · Free interpreters, over 170 languages

CALM — suicide prevention helpline

For anyone aged 18 or over affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts.

5pm–midnight, every day · Free to call · Translation available

FRANK — drugs advice

Confidential information and advice about drugs.

Text 82111

24 hours, every day · Costs the same as a normal call · Interpreters, 120 languages

Drinkline — alcohol advice

Confidential advice if you are worried about your own or someone else’s drinking.

Weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm · Costs the same as a normal call

Scope disability helpline

Advice for disabled people and families on benefits, care, work, equipment and housing.

Monday to Saturday, 10am–5pm · Free to call · Interpreter by call-back on request

Carers UK helpline

Advice for people who look after someone who is ill, disabled or older.

Monday to Friday, 9am–6pm · Free to call

Age UK Advice Line

Free advice for older people and their families on benefits, care, money and housing.

8am–7pm, every day · Free to call

Cruse Bereavement Support

Support for anyone who is grieving after someone has died.

Mon, Wed–Fri 9.30am–5pm; Tue 1pm–8pm · Free to call