Benefits - In England

This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

You may be able to get help from the Social Fund in the form of a crisis loan. You do not have to be receiving any benefits to qualify for a crisis loan. A crisis loan is provided to meet expenses in an emergency, or as a consequence of a disaster.

If you are already receiving certain benefits, you may be eligible for a budgeting loan or a community care grant. A crisis loan and budgeting loan are both repayable but only the amount of the loan will have to be repaid. A community care grant does not have to be repaid.

If you were financially dependent on your ex-partner and now have no income, you may also be able to claim benefits in your own right, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support. If you work part time, you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit. If you are renting a new home, you may get help with Housing and Council Tax costs if you claim Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. If you are now homeless as a result of leaving a partner, you can seek help with re-housing from your local authority.

There are a number of organisations that can offer counselling and support. For example, Women’s Aid for female victims of domestic violence or Survivors UK Ltd for male victims of domestic violence. There are also organisations that aim to help men who are violent to their partners.

For more information about crisis loans, budgeting loans and community care grants, see Help for people on a low income – the Social Fund.
For more information about Jobseeker’s Allowance, see Benefits for people looking for work.
For more information about Income Support, see Help for people on low income - Income Support.
For more information about Working Tax Credit, see Benefits and tax credits for people in work.
For more information about Housing Benefit, see Help with your rent - Housing Benefit.
For more information about Council Tax Benefit, see Help with your council tax – Council Tax Benefit.
For more information about homelessness, see Finding accommodation.
For more information about domestic violence, see Domestic violence.
For more information on what to do after a relationship breakdown, see Ending a marriage, Ending a relationship when you're living together, or Ending a civil partnership.

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Other Frequently asked questions about benefits:

• What are tax credits and how can I get them?
• I have just lost my job. What benefits am I entitled to?
• I am pregnant and on benefits. What help can I get for my baby and myself?
• My neighbour has just come out of hospital.  He's retired and seems to be finding it difficult to cope.  Is there any help available for him?
• I am on Income Support and would like to go back to work, but I'm worried about being able to make ends meet if I come off benefits. Can I get any extra help towards living expenses?
• I receive a pension and have heard that I may be entitled to some other benefits.  Where can I get more information?
• My wife has recently died.  I have three children and have had to give up work.  Can we get any benefits?
• I've recently had a baby and have heard that the government has set up a trust fund for children.  What are they, and how do I claim?
• Can I carry on getting my benefits if I go to live abroad?
• What benefits can workers get if they come to the UK from abroad?
• I am too ill to go to work. Can I get any benefits?