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Support resources

Last updated: 7 October 2026

This page is for moments when money pressure feels immediate. It points you toward practical help for crisis support, food, housing, essential bills, debt, and income assistance.

FootingNOW is not a crisis service and does not provide emergency financial aid. The resources below are starting points. Prefer official government services or registered non-profits.

In immediate danger or crisis

If you are in immediate physical danger, contact your local emergency services. If you are in emotional crisis or having thoughts of suicide, use a local crisis line. A global starting point is the International Association for Suicide Prevention resource finder.

How to use this page

  • Start with the section that matches your most urgent need.
  • Use the international or national gateways where they exist.
  • Then search for local services using the suggested terms plus your city or country.
  • When you contact a service, you can say: “I’m under financial pressure and need help with food, rent, bills, or debt.”
1

Crisis and emotional support

For overwhelming distress, panic, or thoughts of self-harm.

Starting points

  • International Association for Suicide Prevention: find a local crisis line.
  • Many countries have a free 24/7 mental-health or crisis number. Search “crisis line” or “suicide prevention” plus your country.
  • In North America, 988 is available in the United States and Canada for suicide and crisis support.
2

Food

Emergency food, food banks, and meal programmes.

Starting points

  • Search “food bank” or “emergency food” plus your city or region.
  • National Red Cross or Red Crescent societies can often point to local food support.
  • Municipal or community centres often keep current lists of food programmes.
  • Some countries have national food-bank networks, such as Feeding America, Food Banks Canada, and the Trussell Trust in the UK.
3

Housing, rent and eviction

Help with rent arrears, eviction prevention, emergency shelter, or housing advice.

Starting points

  • Search “housing help”, “rent bank”, “eviction prevention” or “homelessness services” plus your city.
  • Local government housing or social-services departments are usually the first official point of contact.
  • Many cities have Housing Help Centres or equivalent non-profit advice services.
  • If you are at risk of homelessness, contact local homelessness outreach or the municipal housing department as early as possible.
4

Utilities and essential bills

Electricity, gas, water, heating, and other essential services at risk of disconnection.

Starting points

  • Contact the utility provider first and ask about hardship programmes, payment plans, or disconnection protection.
  • Search “utility hardship fund” or “energy assistance” plus your region or country.
  • Some governments run seasonal or income-based energy support schemes. Check official government benefit pages.
5

Debt and credit counselling

Non-profit advice on debts, repayment options, and creditor negotiation. Prefer free or charitable services over commercial debt-management companies.

Starting points

  • Search “non-profit credit counselling” or “debt advice” plus your country.
  • Look for national associations of credit counsellors or free government-backed debt advice services.
  • Examples of established networks include NFCC in the US, Credit Canada, and National Debtline or StepChange in the UK. Verify current details before using a service.
  • Avoid services that charge high fees or guarantee to clear debt quickly.
6

Income support and benefits

Social assistance, unemployment benefits, emergency grants, or other income supports.

Starting points

  • Start with your national or regional government benefits portal.
  • Search “social assistance”, “income support”, “unemployment benefit” or “emergency grant” plus your country or region.
  • Local community centres or citizens’ advice services can often help with applications and eligibility.

Finding local help in any country

If a specific service is not listed above:

  • Search the need plus your city or country, for example “food bank Toronto”, “debt advice Manchester”, or “housing help Sydney”.
  • Prefer government websites or registered charities.
  • Many countries have a free three-digit or short-code helpline for community services. 211 is available in much of North America; check the local equivalent where you live.
  • Community centres, public libraries, and places of worship often keep current local resource lists.

About this page

This page is maintained as a signpost, not a complete directory. Services change. Always verify details directly with the organisation.

FootingNOW’s assessment and roadmap are designed to help you stabilise over time. They are not a substitute for emergency help when you need it today.

If you are supporting someone else who is under immediate financial pressure, you can share this page with them.

If something on this page is out of date or you know a strong national resource that should be included, please let us know via the contact details on footingnow.com.