Benefits and money - where to get help and advice

There are lots of organisations that can give you help and advice around money and benefits. Some are specifically for carers while others can give advice to anyone.

An adult resting their hands on a table

Your local carers service

Get in touch with your local carers service and see if they can advise you about benefits and support you may be able to claim for. They may be able help you fill out the claim forms. They may also know of other local charities that could help you.

Other sources of advice

  • Age UK Advice is a free, confidential phone service for older people, their families, friends, carers and professionals. Their team of expert advisers will give you information that is reliable and up-to-date.
  • Carers UK is the UK's membership charity for carers. It offers advice, information and an online forum.
  • Childcare Choices is a website for parents across the UK about Government help with childcare costs. Whether you have toddlers or teens, you could get support. 

  • Citizens Advice has information on benefits and tax credits, council tax and housing costs, national insurance, payment of benefits and problems with benefits, whatever your situation. 
  • Contact  supports families with disabled children and can help with advice about benefits and tax credits.
  • Gov.uk is the Government's information and advice site offering information on benefits, rights, entitlements, work, health and social care for people living in England and Wales.
  • Gov.scot is the Government's information and advice site offering information on benefits, rights, entitlements, work, health and social care specifically for people living in Scotland.
  • Macmillan Cancer Support has information on benefits and other financial support for people with cancer and their families. It also has advice if you are looking after someone with cancer.
  • Mental Health and Money Advice offers UK-wide practical advice and support. It provides information for carers who may need to access support and money or benefits advice for themselves or for someone who is living with a mental health condition.
  • NI Direct is the Government's information and advice site offering information on benefits, rights, entitlements, work, health and social care specifically for people living in Northern Ireland.
  • Shelter provides expert housing advice including on rent and mortgages.
  • Step Change provides free, expert debt advice, no matter how large or small your debt problem is.

  • The Pensions Advisory Service can help you with your workplace, personal and stakeholder pension schemes. It can offer support and information over the phone, via email or on a live webchat. You can also write to them if you prefer. 
  • Turn2us helps people in financial hardship gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. It has information just for carers. The Turn2us online benefits calculator makes it easier to work out which benefits you might be able to claim, and how much you could get.

Tax help for older people

Tax Help for Older People offers free, independent, confidential expert advice for older people (approaching 60 and older) on low incomes. This could be you or the person you care for (you can ask for help on their behalf – you don’t need power of attorney to do this).

Call their helpline on 01308 488066 or email: taxvol@taxvol.org.uk.

Support if money worries are affecting your relationships

If you find that money worries are putting a strain on your relationships there are organisations that can help.