Advertisement
Whether you need free employment advice, housing support, debt help or a mental health helpline, this page brings together every major UK free support line in one place — verified, up to date, and organised by topic.
All numbers listed are free to call from mobiles and landlines unless marked otherwise. No referral needed — you can call any of these services directly.
If you're unsure of your rights before calling, use our free employee rights checker, benefits checker or housing rights checker to understand your situation first.
Employment & Workplace
Free
ACAS — Employment Advice
Expert guidance on workplace rights, disputes, disciplinaries, dismissal and more. The go-to for employment issues in the UK.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm
📋 What to have ready:
- Your contract of employment
- Last 3 payslips
- Any written warnings or letters from your employer
- Dates of key incidents
- Your employment start date
Free
Citizens Advice
Free advice on employment, benefits, debt, housing and consumer issues. Local offices across England and Wales.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm (varies by local office)
📋 What to have ready:
- Details of your situation in writing
- Any letters or notices received
- Your National Insurance number
- Details of any income or benefits
Free
Equality Advisory Support Service
Specialist advice on discrimination, equality and human rights at work or in services.
Free
Employment Tribunal — HMCTS
The official service for making or responding to Employment Tribunal claims. Handles unfair dismissal, discrimination, unpaid wages and more.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
📋 What to have ready: Your claim reference number, employer details, dates of employment and the issue you're raising.
Free
HSE — Health & Safety Executive
Report unsafe working conditions, workplace accidents or health and safety concerns to the UK's national regulator.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Thu 8:30am–5pm, Fri 8:30am–4:30pm
📋 What to have ready: Your employer's name and address, description of the hazard or incident, and any dates involved.
Benefits & Financial
Free
Turn2us — Benefits Help
Find out what benefits and grants you are entitled to. Free benefits calculator and grants search.
Free
StepChange — Debt Advice
Free, confidential debt advice and solutions. If you are struggling with debt, StepChange can help you find a way forward.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat 8am–4pm
📋 What to have ready:
- List of all debts with amounts
- Monthly income and outgoings
- Any court orders or bailiff letters
- Bank statements
Free
Universal Credit Helpline — DWP
The official DWP helpline for Universal Credit queries — including sanctions, payment issues, claimant commitments and reporting changes.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm
📋 What to have ready: Your National Insurance number, UC account details and the specific issue you're calling about.
Free
Pension Credit & State Pension — DWP
For queries about State Pension, Pension Credit eligibility, and other pension-related benefits for people at or approaching retirement age.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 8am–6pm
📋 What to have ready: Your National Insurance number, date of birth and details of any existing pension income.
Housing
Free
Shelter — Housing & Homelessness
Free housing advice for renters, homeowners and anyone facing eviction or homelessness.
Free
Crisis — Homelessness Charity
Specialist support for people facing homelessness or sleeping rough. Provides advice, emergency support and longer-term help to find stable housing.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–5pm
📋 What to have ready: Your current situation, whether you have any support needs, and your local area.
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Free24/7
Samaritans
Whatever you are going through, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You do not have to be suicidal to call.
🕐 Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Free
Mind — Mental Health Support
Information and support for mental health problems, including workplace stress, anxiety and depression.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–6pm (closed bank holidays)
Free
Shout — Crisis Text Line
Free, confidential 24/7 crisis support by text. If you're struggling and don't want to talk on the phone, text SHOUT to 85258.
🕐 Hours: 24/7
📋 What to have ready: Just text — a trained crisis volunteer will respond. No need to explain everything upfront.
Free
The Silver Line — Older People
Free confidential helpline for older people, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Offers friendship, information and advice.
🕐 Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year
Free
PAPYRUS — Young People at Risk
Confidential support for young people under 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or for anyone worried about a young person.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 9am–midnight, weekends 2pm–midnight
Safety & Abuse
Free24/7
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Free, confidential support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Run by Refuge.
🕐 Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Free
MoneySavingExpert
The UK's biggest money saving website. Expert guides on benefits, debt, energy bills, consumer rights and more. Trusted by millions.
Free
MoneyHelper
Government-backed free money guidance. Covering pensions, debt, budgeting and benefits. Previously known as the Money Advice Service.
Free
National Debtline
Free, independent debt advice for people in England, Wales and Scotland. Specialist advisers available by phone and online.
Free
LawWorks
Free legal advice for individuals who cannot afford a solicitor. Connects you with pro bono solicitors and law clinics across England and Wales.
Free
Refuge
The UK's largest domestic abuse organisation. Provides safe houses, specialist support and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Free
Age UK
Support, advice and information for older people. Covers pension rights, benefits, employment and care. Free advice line available.
Free
Family Lives
Free helpline and support for families facing all kinds of challenges — parenting, relationships, school issues and family breakdown.
Free
Gingerbread — Single Parent Support
Expert advice and support for single parents on benefits, maintenance payments, childcare, work rights and legal issues.
🕐 Hours: Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Wed 10am–8pm, Sat 10am–2pm
📋 What to have ready: Information about your children, current benefits or work situation, and the specific issue you need help with.
Free
Disability Rights UK
Information and advice on disability rights, benefits, employment and independent living. Led by and for disabled people.
Free
Child Law Advice
Free legal information and advice on education, special educational needs, school exclusions and children's rights.
Free
Action Fraud — Fraud & Cybercrime
The UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Report scams, identity theft, online fraud and financial crime here.
🕐 Hours: 24/7 online reporting; phones Mon–Fri 8am–8pm
📋 What to have ready: Dates, amounts involved, any contact from the fraudster, and bank transaction records if relevant.
Free
Financial Ombudsman Service
Free, independent service for settling disputes between consumers and financial businesses. Banks, insurance, pensions and loans.
Free
ATOL — Civil Aviation Authority
Check if your holiday is ATOL protected. If your travel company goes bust, ATOL protection means you won't lose your money.
Free
Which? Consumer Rights
Free consumer rights guides, product recalls, scam alerts and advice on returning goods, faulty products and your legal rights as a consumer.
Free
NHS — Health Rights
Your rights as an NHS patient. Covering complaints, waiting times, mental health, prescriptions and access to treatment.
Advertisement
Understanding Your Rights in the UK
UK workers and residents have significant legal protections covering employment, housing, benefits, consumer rights and more. These rights are enshrined in legislation including the Employment Rights Act 1996, the Equality Act 2010, the Housing Act 1988, and the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Free Guidance — No Lawyers Needed
UK Work Rights provides free, plain English guidance to help you understand where you stand. Our AI-powered checkers are regularly updated against GOV.UK, ACAS, Shelter, and Citizens Advice to ensure accuracy. We cover over 70 free AI rights checkers and 36 guides across employment, housing, benefits, consumer, driving, family and more.
- Check your rights instantly — no account needed
- Download your results as a PDF report
- Access 192 free letter templates ready to send
- Guidance verified against GOV.UK and ACAS
When to Seek Further Help
While our guidance covers the vast majority of common situations, complex or high-stakes cases may benefit from professional advice. For employment issues contact ACAS (free) or the Citizens Advice helpline on 0800 144 8848. For housing, Shelter can help on 0808 800 4444.
This guidance is general information only and does not constitute legal advice. UK Work Rights — About us · Privacy · Free letter templates