Ways to get advice

There are lots of ways you can get advice and help about housing, debt, benefits or any other problem that's bothering you. This section looks at the different ways in which you can get help.

There's no right or wrong way to look for help. It all depends on your situation, and what you feel comfortable doing. For example, if you live in a remote area, it may be easier to call a helpline than go to see an adviser. Or, if you don't like talking on the phone, you may prefer to write things down in an email.

The kind of help you need will also depend on how serious your problem is. You may find that one visit to a website or one phone call can tell you all you need to know to sort things out. Or you may find that you need further help. For example, you might call a helpline, then make an appointment to see an adviser in person. You may even need to get legal advice from a solicitor.

If your problem is urgent (for example, if you're homeless or about to become homeless), read the page on emergency help to find out what to do next.

Help on the web

If you have a problem and aren't sure where to look for an answer, the web is a great place to start. Throughout our advice pages, we suggest other websites that can offer you help and advice. Here are some sites that we think are particularly useful. Read more 

Help by phone

If you can't find what you're looking for online, or you feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available, you can try calling a helpline. Read more 

Help by email

If you don't like using the phone or find it hard to talk about your problems, you could consider getting advice, support or help by email. Read more 

Help from an adviser

If your problem is complicated, you may want to talk to an adviser face-to-face. An adviser can go through your options with you and help you decide what to do next. They can also help you take practical steps to resolve your problem. Read more 

Help from a project

Sometimes talking on the phone or sending an email isn't enough - you need a bit of support in person. This is where community support projects come in. This page looks at how you can find a project near you. Read more 

Getting legal advice

If you have a problem that concerns your legal rights, or if you have to go to court, you may need to get advice from a solicitor. A solicitor can give you detailed advice on your legal rights and help you with your case. They can also represent you in court if necessary. Read more