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I've left my violent partner. Can I get any help?

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

You may be able to get help from the Discretionary Assistance Fund, run by the Welsh government.

Crisis loans and community care grants which used to provide emergency help were abolished in England, Wales and Scotland from 1 April 2013.

If you are already receiving certain benefits, you may be eligible for a budgeting loan. A budgeting loan is 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 Reduction. 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 and other welfare schemes.
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 Reduction, see Help with your council tax – Council Tax Reduction.
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.

Other Frequently asked questions about benefits: