Money, food and housing
Where to get help in Manchester if you are struggling with money, food or a place to live.
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Money and the cost of living
Manchester City Council's Cost of Living Advice Line can help with benefits, rent, debt, food and energy bills. Call free on 0800 023 2692 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm) or visit Helping Hands (opens the Manchester City Council website).
If you are 65 or over, Withington Assist offers befriending, a lunch club and practical help. Call 0161 434 9216, or read more on our older people page.
Greater Manchester Law Centre runs free legal advice clinics, including at Ladybarn Community Hub and in Old Moat.
Food
Burnage Foodbank gives emergency food parcels. You need a voucher from a local agency, such as an advice service or social worker.
- St Bernard's Parish Rooms, Burnage Lane, M19 1DR: Fridays, 3pm to 5pm
- St Nicholas Parish Hall, 408 Kingsway, M19 1PL: Tuesdays, 12:30pm to 2:30pm
Call 07796 448 205 or visit Burnage Foodbank (opens the Burnage Foodbank website).
To find free and low-cost food near you, use the Greater Together food map (opens the Greater Together website).
Housing and homelessness
If you are homeless or about to lose your home, contact Manchester City Council's Housing Solutions service:
- ask for help online (opens the Manchester City Council website), which is the quickest way
- call 0161 234 4692, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
- outside these hours, call 0161 234 5001
Shelter gives free housing advice: call 0808 800 4444.
akt supports LGBTQ+ young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless or living in a hostile environment. Visit akt (opens the akt website).
For drop-in centres, meals and other help in Manchester, use Street Support Network (opens the Street Support Network website), which keeps opening times up to date.
Page last reviewed: 12 October 2026
Next review due: April 2027