A lot of the most useful help is delivered locally, and it can be hard to know
what exists where you live. This page explains the main sources of support in
your area and how to reach them.
Your council’s crisis support
Most councils run a local welfare assistance or crisis scheme
that can provide emergency help — food, fuel, or essential items like a cooker
or bed — for people in a genuine crisis. Councils also distribute the
Household Support Fund locally (until 31 March 2026, with a
successor fund planned after). Search your council’s website for “local
welfare” or “Household Support Fund”, or call and ask.
Food and essentials
If you can’t afford food, a food bank can provide emergency
supplies. Many operate through a referral from Citizens Advice, your council,
a GP or a support worker — who can also look at what’s driving the crisis and
help fix it. Some areas have community pantries, “warm spaces” and free-meal
projects too.
Free local advice
Your local Citizens Advice offers free, confidential help
with benefits, debt, housing and consumer problems, in person, by phone and
online. Local law centres, community organisations and charities can also
help, and grant-search tools like Turn2us can point you to charitable funds
you might be eligible for.
What to do next
Contact your council’s welfare team, get a food-bank referral if you need one,
and speak to your local Citizens Advice. For the national schemes behind much
of this help, see our
cost of living and
benefits and entitlements
pages.
Sources
GOV.UK (Household Support Fund; local welfare provision); Citizens Advice;
Turn2us. Reviewed: 3 September 2026.