Help to Claim & crisis support
Lesson 11 of 13 in our free Benefits & Support guide: a 5-minute money game with the key points below.
Shown for England. Some rules here are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland: the lesson shows your nation's version.
This lesson is in the full version.
Free with a code from your uni, college, council, landlord or employer (worth £600/year). Lesson 1 of Benefits & Support is free for everyone.
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Questions you'll answer
Mo's flatmate says they're out of money, out of food, and feeling hopeless. What's the kindest, most useful response?
Quick facts
- Local crisis support from your council (funded through the Crisis and Resilience Fund) → England. In England, local councils run crisis help — names and rules vary by area.
- Scottish Welfare Fund → Scotland. Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants, via your Scottish council.
- Discretionary Assistance Fund → Wales. Wales's emergency and individual assistance payments.
- Discretionary Support → Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland's scheme for extreme, exceptional or crisis situations.
- Free Help to Claim adviser walks you through your UC application → Green flag. Free, independent and they know the system.
- A 'benefits agent' charges £100 to fill in your UC claim → Red flag. Claiming is free and free help exists. Paying is unnecessary — and it's often a scam.
- Asking your council what crisis support exists → Green flag. That's what it's for. Asking is the hardest bit.
- Someone offers to 'look after' your UC payments if you give them your login → Red flag. Never share your login. This can be fraud or financial abuse.