Turn2us — benefits checks and grants for families in financial crisis
Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship access benefits and charitable grants. For a parent facing a money gap during or after family proceedings — losing a household income, moving out, or supporting children on one wage — its free benefits calculator and grant search are the fastest practical tools available.
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-01
What Turn2us is
Turn2us is a national charity (founded in 1897 as the Elizabeth Finn Fund) that helps people in financial need get the benefits and grants they are entitled to. It runs a free online benefits calculator, a searchable database of charitable funds (including its own grant programmes), and a helpline-supported advice service. It is a well-established, widely signposted source used by Citizens Advice, charities and welfare advisers.
What help it offers
- Benefits calculator — a free, confidential online check of entitlements (Universal Credit, child elements, council tax support and more), including what changes if your circumstances change.
- Grant search — a database of over 3,000 charitable funds, searchable by occupation, background, illness and need; many family situations (single parenting, illness, debt after separation) have a matching fund.
- Turn2us own grants — direct grants for people in financial crisis, applied for through its website or helpline.
- Tools and guides — on Universal Credit, bereavement benefits, child maintenance's interaction with benefits, rent arrears, and budgeting.
- Helpline for people who cannot use the online tools (see the Turn2us contact page for the current number and hours).
How a self-representing parent can use Turn2us
1. Straight after separation. Run the benefits calculator before agreeing anything. Knowing your benefit entitlement clarifies what maintenance you actually need — useful in mediation, CMS calculations and schedule 1 or financial applications. 2. When a case affects your income. Time off for hearings, a move to part-time work for childcare, or housing costs after moving out — the calculator and guides show what support bridges the gap. 3. One-off crises. If you need a washing machine, school uniform, deposit or boiler after separation, the grant search often finds a charity fund for exactly that — a route many litigants never hear about. 4. Evidence of means. If you are applying for help with court fees (EX160) or legal aid, a Turn2us benefits check supports your figures.
Turn2us does not give legal advice or act in proceedings; it is a money-and-grants service.
Contact details
- Website and benefits calculator: https://www.turn2us.org.uk
- Grant search: https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk
- Helpline: see https://www.turn2us.org.uk/About-Us/Contact-Us for current number and hours
Useful links
- Turn2us home: https://www.turn2us.org.uk
- Benefits calculator: https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk
- Gingerbread (single parents' money guides): see our Gingerbread listing
- CMS guides on this site (child maintenance and Universal Credit interactions)
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and contact details change — verify anything important against the official sources linked above before relying on it. Your Family Case is an independent directory listing; we take no referral fees and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or receiving payment from any organisation listed.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.