Money and advice
Helping you access financial assistance, study support, state benefits, budgeting and debt advice and confidential legal guidance.
So many people are facing financial pressure, and dealing with the emotional pressure that comes with it. Higher energy bills, the rising cost of living, an unexpected change in circumstances – they all take their toll.
Whatever you are going through, we are here to help.
Contact us in confidence
Someone from the team is available to speak to on the phone every weekday (Monday – Friday).
Call 0800 084 3451 (UK Freephone) or +44 1223 853549 (International) between 9am and 5pm, UK time.
Or you can send us a message online and a member of the team will get back to you within 10 working days. If you would prefer us to contact you in a certain way, please let us know.
Don’t forget, we keep all of this strictly confidential.
On this page
Financial assistance
- Help when your income is affected: if income that you rely on has been impacted by a change in circumstance, we can offer regular grants to cover essential living costs.
- One-off grants for the unexpected: these could cover anything from replacing a broken fridge freezer, unexpected roof repair to getting your car back on the road.
- Support if you’re a studying RSC member: if your financial situation has taken a turn for the worse, we’re here for you.
- Support for undergraduate and masters students on RSC-accredited courses in the UK or Ireland: you can apply for a student hardship grant to cover an unexpected change in your finances. You don’t have to be a Royal Society of Chemistry member.
- Support for graduate job seekers: it’s rare for someone to immediately find a job in their specialist field after graduating. Graduate support grants give you time if finding that role is taking longer than you hoped.
Access to state benefits
- Benefit information and claims: it can be hard to see a clear way forward when you are unsure of what you are entitled to. Talk to us for practical information and support about what you could claim, as well as the claiming and appeals process. We’re here to help make it easier.
- Turn2Us benefit calculator: if you live in the UK, this free online calculator will help you work out which benefits you might be able to claim.
- State support for care, equipment and adaptations: we’re here if you need help making sense of the state support that could be available to you or your family, or if you need financial support from us
Budgeting and debt
- Money Helper budget planner: a free tool to help you keep track of your income and spending.
- Debt support: we offer support by signposting you to debt support and professional advice, as well as being someone to talk to.
- StepChange budgeting support: learn how to create a budget, manage your money effectively, and keep track of your spending with their expert guidance and free tools.
- Planning for retirement: if you want to make sure your finances will support you in retirement, these workshops cover retirement as well as money and wellbeing
Confidential legal guidance
We can put you in touch with experienced legal advisors for free: impartial advice on a range of subjects including family or employment law and more.
Over the phone, they will be able to explain your legal position in any of these areas, and give you the information you need to take steps toward addressing the situation.