Help through Hardship helpline

If you’re worried about money and struggling to afford essentials, call our free helpline for personalised support.

Our friendly advisers can help you get the support you need if you’re struggling to afford essentials like food, heating and toiletries. We can advise which benefits you’re entitled to, guide you through any claims, and help you with emergency issues.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope, we can also refer you to Mind’s Infoline. Their advisers will provide support and information to help you take care of your wellbeing.

Call now: 0808 2082138

Lines open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Closed on public holidays.

What is the Help through Hardship helpline?

The Help through Hardship helpline is a free phone service delivered in partnership with Citizens Advice. Our friendly advisers have already helped thousands of people who are worried about money and are here to help you access the support you need.

How it works

We’ll ask about your circumstances so we can understand your situation and support your wellbeing. We can help you get the support you need if you’re struggling to afford essentials like food, heating and toiletries. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with money, we can help.

We can:

  • Assess which benefits you may be entitled to
  • Help you with benefits claims
  • Identify any grants you may be able to get
  • Help you access emergency support if you can’t afford the essentials
  • Refer you to Mind’s Infoline for mental health information and support

How to access Help through Hardship

If you’re experiencing hardship, you’re not alone. We’ll work with you to help you find a way forward.

Call our free, confidential helpline on 0808 2082138 to speak to a friendly adviser.

Open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Closed on public holidays.

If you live in England or Wales, you can access the service. If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, see other ways to get help.

Support with accessing Help through Hardship

If you have difficulties communicating on the phone, require translation or British Sign Language interpretation, the below options can help you.

Relay UK can help you communicate over the phone if you have hearing or speech difficulties.

Find out how to use Relay UK

Please ask the Help through Hardship adviser if you need an interpreter. This will be provided via Language Line.

You can contact the helpline with a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter from SignVideo. This service is available Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm (except bank holidays).  You will not be charged for using the SignVideo service but your normal data costs will apply. You’ll need a device with a camera and stable internet access. 

Clicking the link below will start a SignVideo session:

Connect to a SignVideo BSL interpreter via video (the interpreter will phone a Help through Hardship adviser).

You can also watch a short BSL video with information about how the helpline may be able to help.

SignVideo will not record the video, but the voice conversation between your interpreter and Help through Hardship will be recorded by Citizens Advice for quality and monitoring purposes.  For more information about how your personal information is used, see the Citizens Advice privacy notice and the SignVideo privacy notice. 

Mind

Mind is a charity fighting for mental health. It provides advice and support to anyone struggling with their mental health. And it campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Mind’s Infoline provides an information and signposting service. You can ask them about mental health problems, where to get help near you, treatment options and advocacy services.