An overview of some of the websites and services available for people seeking help and advice on welfare issues.
General advice and support
• Citizens Advice (CAB)
Free and independent advice service for legal, financial and other problems
• Direct Gov and beta site GOV.UK
General information and practical advice about public services for England and Wales. Further advice on benefits is often found on individual local authority websites, which can be found through this DirectGov index.
• Samaritans
Non-UK users can find this organisation here. In the UK dial 08457 90 90 90, or email jo@samaritans.org, or visit a branch.
• The BBC also has a good list of charities and helplines for issues including domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, parenting, homelessness and issues affecting young people.
Online support
You can find out about support services on offer and get in touch with many groups and charities on social networks.
• Go to Gingerbread for support for single parents -
on Facebook and on Twitter
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) has a page on Facebook and runs patient support groups across the country.
• Disability charity Papworth Trust can be found on Facebook.
Other contact details for these groups are available on their websites.
Welfare reform legislation
Where to find more information on the UK's Welfare Reform Act 2012 and ways to respond to policy changes:
• Guardian coverage of the welfare reform bill as it passed through government
• Details of how to contact DWP about welfare reform
• See the progress of the bill
• Details of public workshops for the bill past and present
• Follow updates on the reforms via Twitter using the Society Guardian Twitter list and following the hashtags #spartacusstories #spartacusreport #wrb #nhssavedmylife.
• Write to your MP
• See what's being said in parliament
This page will be updated periodically. These selected links are intended as suggested sources of advice and information. Guardian News & Media does not take responsibility for the content of external websites.
