Financial help to leave an abusive home
This information applies to England and Wales.
Deciding to leave an abusive home is hard. It is even harder when you do not have much money, or someone is controlling your access to your money. There is financial support available for people in this situation.
This might mean help with:
Warning If you're in immediate danger
Leave your home and call the police on 999 as soon as possible if you or your children are in danger of immediate harm.
If you cannot reply to questions on the phone, cough or tap the handset. The operator may ask you to press 55 if you cannot speak.
If you cannot call, text 'REGISTER' to 999 and follow the instructions.
What is domestic abuse?
If anyone you live with is making you feel scared in your own home, this is domestic abuse. The person might be your partner, family member or anyone else you live with.
Domestic abuse could mean that this person is:
- physically hurting you
- forcing you into sexual acts
- emotionally blackmailing or threatening you
- stealing from you or damaging your things
- controlling your spending or your bank account
- watching you or controlling what you do at home, outside your home or online
People of all ages and genders can be abused in their own home. All kinds of abuse are illegal in the UK, including coercive control.
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Where to get help
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, ask for support.
Domestic abuse: get help (GOV.UK)
There are also lots of organisations who specialise in specific kinds of abuse.
Help if you are from outside the UK
If you are not a British citizen, your visa might say that you have ‘no recourse to public funds’. Many people try to use this as a form of control. You can still get help if you are on this kind of visa. You can also get help if you do not have a visa.
Speak to someone at a domestic abuse charity and explain your situation. They can find you help.
Where you can go
If you are being abused and do not have a safe place to go, you qualify as being homeless.
Help if you’re homeless: domestic abuse (Shelter)
The refuge place you are offered could be a long distance away.
Free travel to a refuge
Once you have a place in a refuge, you can get free travel there.
This is an ordinary ticket. It does not say you are escaping abuse.
The refuge books you a ticket, which you can use on your phone or collect as a paper ticket.
E-ticket
If you have access to a phone or other device, you can get an e-ticket. This sends all the details you need to your device, and you can use this to travel.
Paper ticket
You can choose to pick up a paper ticket from any station instead of having an e-ticket. This might be because someone is watching your phone. You can collect your ticket using a collection code and any debit or credit card.
Picking up this ticket will not show on your bank statement or banking app.
Help with other kinds of travel
If you:
- live too far from a train station
- are disabled and need help getting to a train station
- are not travelling to a refuge – for example, you need to travel to a friend’s house
Speak to a helpline and explain your situation. They can let you know about other help available for you to travel to safety.
Living costs
You can get help to set up a new home away from your abuser, including paying your rent and bills.
From 31 January 2024, survivors of domestic abuse who do not have the financial means to leave their abusers will be able to apply for a single payment of up to £500.
This can be for essential items such as groceries, nappies or support with new accommodation to help them and their children flee to safety.
£2 million fund to help survivors of domestic abuse (Women’s Aid)
Help available from the DWP for domestic abuse victims (GOV.UK)
Use a benefits calculator (Turn2us)
Grants
If you need help with things like furniture, appliances and moving costs, you can search for grants online.
Local Welfare Assistance Finder (End Furniture Poverty)
The charity Surviving Economic Abuse also has a list of places that can help you.
Grants, benefits and financial help (Surviving Economic Abuse)
Warning Communicating safely
If someone is watching your letters, phone, emails or bank account, tell the grant provider.
Legal costs
After escaping abuse, you might need legal help with things like:
- getting a divorce
- custody of children
- setting up injunctions to keep your abuser away from you
- dividing property
You might qualify for legal aid.
Legal aid – domestic abuse (GOV.UK)
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline has advice on legal options.
Leaving an abuser with legal powers
If you think that the person abusing you has legal rights over you, you can still get help. Let the helpline know your situation when you speak to them.
Last reviewed by Scope on: 18/10/2023
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