Free independent help and advice

If you’re worrying about money, you’re not on your own. It’s good to talk to someone. These organisations, and your government can offer free help, support and guidance.

Support from your government

Your national government are able to give help and guidance on a range of benefits and housing options that you may be eligible for:

Gov.uk logo

If you’re struggling financially, you can get help and advice from the government and local councils. This includes help with housing, heating and other living costs.

Get help now

Your government also offers help with the rising cost of living through their Help for Households campaign. This includes support with energy bills, transport costs and childcare costs.

Help for households

NIDirect logo

The Finance Support Service supports people who live in Northern Ireland and need short-term financial help.

Get help now

Your government offers help with the rising cost of living. This includes support with health costs, energy bills and income support.

Cost of living support

Scottish government logo

There is free independent support and advice funded by the Scottish government. This includes help with housing, benefits and social care.

Get help now


Your government also offers help with the rising cost of living. This includes support with travel costs, energy bills and childcare costs.

Cost of living support

Welsh government logo

There is free independent support and advice funded by the Welsh government. This includes help with employment, transport and housing.

Get help now

Your government also offers lots of help with the rising cost of living. This includes support with childcare costs, energy bills and debt.

Cost of living support

  • Help to understand what government benefits and grants you could claim.

    Turn2Us Logo.

    Turn2Us – Financial support charity

    • Understand your eligibility for benefits and grants that you weren't aware of. Turn2Us can help you search for these to support with the cost of living.
    • Online benefits calculator
    • Speak to an adviser in your local area

    Call: 0808 802 2000
    Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 

    Visit Turn2Us

    Turn2Us benefits calculator

    Citizens Advice logo.

    Help from Citizens Advice

    • Free advice on a range of topics, including benefits, debt, housing and consumer rights
    • Help with managing your money
    • Practical and impartial support online, in person or over the phone

    Call: 0800 144 8848 or 0800 702 2020 if you’re in Wales Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 

    Visit Citizens Advice 

  • Some organisations can offer support with other issues too, from housing and digital skills, to improving your health and wellbeing.

    Shelter logo.

    Shelter - Housing and Homeless Charity

    • Provides those struggling with bad housing or homelessness the help they need, through their advice, support and legal services
    • Help with money and debts 
    • Talk to someone online or by phone   

    Contact Shelter using their online support page
    Visit Shelter

    Mental Health and Money Advice logo.

    Mental Health and Money Advice

    • Clear, practical advice and support for people experiencing mental health and money worries
    • Specialist knowledge of benefits, managing money and mental health care
    • Award-winning UK-wide online advice service

    Visit Mental Health & Money Advice

    MoneyHelper logo.

    Guidance from MoneyHelper

    • Government-backed with advice for every stage of life  
    • Get clear on benefits, tax, pensions, homes and savings 
    • Use their handy money calculators to plan, save and budget 

    Call: 0800 138 7777 for money guidance or 0800 011 3797 for pensions guidance.
    Lines open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm

    Visit MoneyHelper

    We are digital logo.

    The Digital Helpline – A service provided by We Are Digital

    • Free 1-2-1 digital skills training over the phone
    • Topics include; Internet Banking, online food shopping, booking a doctor’s appointment, using a website, staying in touch with friends and family through video calls, and more

    Call: 0345 222 0333

    Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

    Those who are Deaf and use British Sign Language (BSL) can book a session using BSL SignVideo. Available on Safari, Chrome or Firefox web browsers. 

    Customers who have hearing loss or a speech impairment can use the service through Relay UK.

    Citizens Advice logo.

    Help from Citizens Advice

    • Free advice on a range of topics, including benefits, debt, housing and consumer rights
    • Help with managing your money
    • Practical and impartial support online, in person or over the phone

    Call: 0800 144 8848 or 0800 702 2020 if you’re in Wales Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 

    Visit Citizens Advice 

Don’t wait to get help. From personalised debt action plans, to budgeting tips, the following organisations could help.

StepChange logo.

StepChange Debt Charity

  • Free, impartial advice to get your finances back on track 
  • Budgeting tips and a wide range of solutions
  • Support available online 24/7 or by phone 

Call: 0800 138 1111
Lines open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm and Sat 8am-4pm

Visit StepChange

Payplan logo.

PayPlan – Free debt advice and support

  • Free, confidential debt advice  
  • A personalised action plan for your money 
  • Help available online or by phone

Call: 0800 280 2816
Lines open Mon-Fri 8am-8pm and Sat 9am-3pm

Visit PayPlan

Citizens Advice logo.

Help from Citizens Advice

  • Free advice on a range of topics, including benefits, debt, housing and consumer rights
  • Help with managing your money
  • Practical and impartial support online, in person or over the phone

Call: 0800 144 8848 or 0800 702 2020 if you’re in Wales Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm 

Visit Citizens Advice 

National Debtline logo.

National Debtline

  • Free, confidential debt advice 
  • Guides, fact sheets, budgeting tools and sample letters 
  • Advice via phone and online

Call: 0808 808 4000
Lines open Mon-Fri 9am-8pm and Sat 9.30am-1pm

Visit National Debtline

Remember, we’ll never get in touch to ask you to move money to another account, for your banking details or to take control of a computer. The organisations listed on this page won’t do this either.

Important: the content of this page is not intended to be taken as financial advice or recommendation from MBNA. You should seek independent financial advice if you’re unsure about your financial needs.