Child Abuse Hotlines

• In the US or Canada, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).
• In the UK, call 0800 1111 (NSPCC Childline).
• Australia: 1800 688 009 (Child Abuse Prevention Service)
• New Zealand: 0800-543-754 (Kidsline)
• Or visit ChiWorld.org for a list of other international child helplines

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Domestic Violence Hotlines

For abused women:

• In the U.S., call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).
• UK: call Women’s Aid at 0808 2000 247.
• Australia: National Domestic Violence Hotline 1800 200 526
• Or visit International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies for a worldwide list of helplines, shelters, and crisis centers.

For abused men:

• In the US, The Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men & Womenspecializes in supporting male victims of abuse and offers a 24-hour helpline: 1-888-7HELPLINE (1-888-743-5754)
• UK: ManKind Initiative offers a national helpline for men at 01823 334244.
• Australia: One in Three Campaign offers help and resources for male victims.

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Suicide Hotlines

• In the U.S. – Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the National Hopeline Network at 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433). These toll-free crisis hotlines offer 24-hour suicide prevention and support. Your call is free and confidential.
• Outside the U.S. – Visit Befrienders Worldwide to find a helpline in your country.

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Elder Abuse Hotlines

• In the U.S., call Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. The person who answers the phone will refer you to a local agency that can help. The Eldercare Locator answers the phone Monday through Friday, 9 am to 8 pm, Eastern Time.
• UK: 0808 808 8141 or Ireland: 1800 940 010 (Action on Elder Abuse).
• Australia: 1300 651 192 (Elder Abuse Prevention Unit).
• South Africa: 080 111 2131 (Age In Action).
• Canada: visit Alberta Elder Abuse for local helplines.
• New Zealand: visit Age Concern NZ for local helplines.

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Medical Services for Older Adults

• To find senior centers or other services for older adults in the U.S., search Eldercare Locator or call toll-free at 800-677-1116.
• In the UK, to find local support services contact Age UK Advice or call 0800 169 65 65.
• In Australia, search the Australian Government Directory of Services for Older People or call the information line at 1800 500 853.
• In New Zealand, contact your local Age Concern office.

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Health Clinics

If you don’t have regular healthcare coverage, there are several options to help to find services in the U.S.:

• Get Affordable Healthcare - Provided by the Health Resources Services Administration, you can find a community health center nearest you, or search for hospitals that offer free or reduced cost services.
• Mental Health Services Locator - A searchable directory of treatment and support services, as well as advocacy organizations and state agencies.
• Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator - This searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs gives information on both residential and outpatient treatment programs for all ages.
• To find health clinics and hospitals in other parts of the world, search the Worldwide Hospitals Directory.

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Advocacy Organizations

Advocacy organizations often have local chapters or affiliates who may be able to inform you about social service options in your community. Support groups can also be helpful for referrals from people with firsthand knowledge of a service or organization. Try a web search on a specific disability or social service requirement to see if you can find an appropriate organization. Look for nonprofit organizations. Below are examples of advocacy organizations for mental health in the U.S.:

• Mental Health Affiliate - Mental Health America affiliates provide public education, information and referral, and support group information.
• NAMI Helpline - The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill has a helpline providing information, referral, and support. NAMI also has numerous chapters across the United States.

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Legal Aid

Legal aid clinics can be a good starting point for getting help with a variety of issues, from housing to restraining orders to disability benefits advocacy. Try doing a search for legal clinics in your state or county.

• In the U.S., Legal Services Corporation provides a searchable directory of free/low income legal clinics by state.
• In the UK, Legal Services Commission provides information on how to access legal aid.
• In Australia, find your state’s legal aid commission.
• In Canada, find a legal aid office in your province.

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Government Benefits

If you’ve been in a challenging situation, you may not realize that you are eligible for some benefits. The website below offers a starting point for researching benefits.

• Benefits.gov outlines government benefits and eligibility, from housing to food and healthcare needs.
• In the UK, Benefits and Financial Support offers information and advice about benefits.
• In Canada, search the Benefits Finder to find government benefits.
• In Australia, find Benefits, Payments and Services.

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Respite Care

Finding quality respite for children and adults with disabilities requires a combination of effective homework and the use of community resources.

• Talk to support groups or advocacy groups that deal with your loved one’s specific disability. They may be able to make recommendations or provide you with guidance to the resources available in your community.
• Check to see if your county or province has mental health or developmental disability resources.
• Talk to your loved one’s medical team and see what services they may be able to offer.

In the U.S.:

• Day care and respite services for children with special needs - Provides tips on finding respite care, from day programs to overnights. (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center)
• Therapy/Respite Camps - Provides a state by state directory of summer camps in the U.S. and Canada geared towards the special needs of children and adults with disabilities. (Will Moore)
• Easter Seals Services for Younger Adults - Easter Seals is a nonprofit organization that provides different types of services and guidance for younger adults with disabilities. (Easter Seals)
• Respite Locator – Fact sheets and a national respite care directory that covers everyone from children to older adults. (Arch National Respite Network and Resource Center)

In the UK:

• Looking for Local Carers’ Services? NHS services available to UK carers of disabled children and adults, including respite care. (NHS)
• Essential Breaks – UK charity organization that provides respite care and holidays for disabled children and adults, and their carers. (Vitalise)

In Australia:

• Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres – For Australian residents, provides information and support services for older people, people with disabilities and those who provide care and services. (Australian Government)

In New Zealand:

• Carers New Zealand – Offers help and advice for New Zealand carers, including guidance on respite care services. (Carers NZ)

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Credit Counseling

A good credit counseling service will meet with you to develop a budget and plan, and offer education to help you learn the best way to manage your money.

Finding a reputable service

• Start with referrals. While there are many good services out there, unfortunately there are also dishonest agencies as well. See if your bank, university, hospital, or community center offers referrals to services.
• Aim for fiscal independence. Any financial plan should set a time when you won’t need to rely on the credit counseling service anymore. Does the agency offer a solid budgeting plan? Do they provide education on how to manage your situation, and how to avoid problems in the future?
• Watch out for hidden fees and protect your information. One red flag is agencies wanting too much personal information up front before they can provide you initial information. Make sure you understand exactly what costs are involved. If the agency claims to be able to reduce interest rates, confirm that with the creditor.

In the U.S.:

• Fiscal Fitness: Choosing a Credit Counselor describes what credit counselors do, tips on finding a reputable service, and when to consider services such as debt management. (FTC.gov)
• Knee Deep in Debt provides tips on moving forward in reducing debt, including working with creditors directly, when to consider credit counseling, and scams to avoid. (FTC.gov)

In the UK:

• Consumer Credit Counselling Service provides free, independent, and impartial debt advice.

In Australia:

• Financial Counselling Australia assists people with a wide range of financial problems including debt management.

In New Zealand:

• Budgetline offers free debt and financial advice.

In Canada:

• Credit Counselling Canada is a nationwide association of not-for-profit credit counselling agencies.
• NoMoreDebts.org offers free credit counseling and debt advice for residents of Western Canada.

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Medical Bills

Medical bills can often increase rapidly, and it can be especially difficult to focus on bills when you are dealing with a serious or chronic illness. Here are some tips on working with medical bills:

• Make sure you understand all of the charges. Ask for itemized bills. If there is a charge you don’t understand, appears to be in error, or you think should be covered by your insurance, don’t hesitate to call. If you have insurance, check your provisions carefully to make sure you understand what is covered and what is not.
• Understand your payment options, opportunities to negotiate, and if you are eligible for charitable care or reduced fees.
• Community organizations such as senior centers or health centers may offer helpful resources. If you’re dealing with a specific disability, contact the organization or find a support group that may help you with real world advice.

In the U.S.:

• Managing High Medical Bills.  Tips on getting a handle on medical bills, from negotiating with the hospital or clinic to getting outside resources and support. (Nolo.com)
• Financial Management during Crisis. Written for parents of children with disabilities, the page has useful information for all ages on managing finances, from advocacy to working with medical clinics and insurance companies. (Nemours Foundation)

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Government Benefits

In the U.S.:

• Benefits.gov outlines government benefits and eligibility, from housing to food and healthcare needs.

Some examples of potential benefits include:

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Cash benefit to disabled or elderly people with little to no income.
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Disability income for those who are no longer able to work, and previously worked in a job covered by social security benefits.
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Federally funded program administered by individual states, provides financial assistance to low income families with dependents or in the last few months of pregnancy. The name of the program varies from state to state.
• Food Stamps. Program that helps low income residents get food. Normally administered by states.
• Veteran’s Benefits. Military veterans have a variety of potential benefits, from healthcare to housing to education.
• Medicare. Health insurance for those over 65, or under 65 with certain disabilities.
• Medicaid. Limited health coverage for those with low income or who meet certain eligibility requirements. Each state administers its own Medicaid program.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program. Provides health coverage for children whose families meet certain income requirements; specific requirements vary by state.

In other countries:

• In the UK, Benefits and Financial Support offers information and advice about benefits.
• In Canada, search the Benefits Finder to find government benefits.
• In Australia, find Benefits, Payments and Services.
• In New Zealand, search A-Z Benefits.

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Student Aid

In the U.S.:

• Financial Aid offers information on paying for college and financial aid such as loans, grants, and work-study options. (US Department of Education)

In the UK:

• Student Finance details grants and loans available to students.

In Australia:

• Financial Aid offers information on loans and scholarships,

In New Zealand:

• Student Financial Support provides details on loans, scholarships, and allowances.

In Canada:

• Canada Student Loans and Grants offers financial assistance for Canadian students.

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