Citizens Advice — Manchester: free advice for families going through separation and court

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27

When a relationship breaks down, the problems rarely arrive one at a time — money, housing, benefits and children all come at once. Citizens Advice Manchester is an independent local charity (85 years of free advice in the city) that gives free, confidential, independent and impartial advice on exactly those issues, helping over 50,000 people a year across welfare benefits, debt, energy bills, housing and employment. This page is about the Manchester service, verified against the charity's official website, its Contact page, and the national Citizens Advice local directory on 2026-08-27. It is general information, not legal advice — always confirm current opening times directly with the charity before travelling.

What this service is

Citizens Advice Manchester is the local member of the national Citizens Advice network for the City of Manchester. Its trained advisers can:

Give advice on welfare benefits, debt, money, housing, employment, energy and family matters — Manchester City Council itself signposts residents to the service for problems including family crises.
Run a short assessment/gateway interview and route you to the most appropriate help — phone, community hub, video advice, WhatsApp or webchat.
Help you understand your options in a family breakdown — using the national Citizens Advice family guidance on separating, sorting out money, making arrangements for children, and dealing with domestic abuse.
Provide specialist lines: an Energy Hotline (0808 164 4406), Help to Claim for Universal Credit (0800 144 8444) and the national Consumer Hotline (0808 223 1133).
Deliver advice in the community — community hubs, video advice hubs and a mobile advice unit across Manchester.

Important: Citizens Advice gives advice and information — it does not act as your solicitor or represent you in court hearings. For free practical support at the courthouse itself, see our page on Support Through Court.

Who it helps

Anyone who lives in Manchester (the 0808 278 7800 line is the Manchester service; other Greater Manchester boroughs have their own Citizens Advice — see the Greater Manchester directory linked below).
People facing separation or divorce who need to understand benefits, debt, housing and money consequences — often the practical issues a family court expects you to have a plan for.
People who cannot afford a lawyer — there is no means test to get first-stage advice, and the service is free.
Family court users generally: the national family guidance covers arrangements for children, money and property when you separate, and domestic abuse.

How to use it (steps)

1. Call Adviceline on 0808 278 7800 — free from mobiles and landlines, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm. You will get a short assessment interview and be routed to the right help. 2. Or use a digital route — chat to an adviser over WhatsApp (0747 654 8490) or the secure national online webchat, browse the free self-help advice at citizensadvice.org.uk, or fill in the request-a-call form to have an adviser contact you later. 3. Drop in to a community advice hub — the charity runs community drop-ins and video advice hubs across Manchester; check the locations listing on its website for the nearest one and current times. 4. Check before travelling to an office — the registered address is used for appointments only; contact the service first to find out about visiting options. 5. Bring your paperwork — benefit letters, court orders, bank statements, any correspondence — so the adviser can give concrete advice rather than generalities. 6. If you are outside Manchester, find your local Citizens Advice via the national site, or call the national Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848.

Contact & location (verified)

These details are published on the charity's official Contact page and the national Citizens Advice local directory (verified 2026-08-27):

Adviceline (Manchester): 0808 278 7800, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm (free number; closed bank holidays).
Energy Hotline: 0808 164 4406 · Help to Claim (Universal Credit): 0800 144 8444 · Consumer Hotline: 0808 223 1133.
WhatsApp: 0747 654 8490 · Online webchat: via the national Citizens Advice site.
Community drop-ins & video advice hubs: locations listed at citizensadvicemanchester.org.uk/face-to-face; a video advice waiting room is available from the Contact page.
Registered address (appointments only — contact first): Citizens Advice Manchester, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 5DB.
Status: registered charity 1010167, company limited by guarantee 2697257, FCA-regulated (FRN 617659).

Costs (honest)

The service is free. The charity's own site states its advice is "free, confidential, independent and impartial", and its phone lines are free to call.
There is no means test for first-stage advice.
The charity is funded by donors and funders — it does not charge clients.
Watch out for anyone charging for "advice" at court — genuine Citizens Advice help is free. Verify through the official site linked below.
If your case needs a solicitor, that cost sits outside this service. See our legal aid guide for help funding representation.

How it fits your court case

Before applying to court: advisers can help you sort the practical side — benefits after separation, rent/mortgage arrears, debt — which strengthens your position and your paperwork. Use the national family guidance on making arrangements for children and our own preparing for a hearing guide.
During the case: pair free advice from Citizens Advice Manchester with court-day support from Support Through Court — the two charities do different jobs.
After a hearing: if an order affects your money, benefits or housing, advisers can help you work out the next step, challenge wrong decisions, or prepare appeals on benefits decisions.
It complements, not replaces, legal help: Citizens Advice explains rights and options; it cannot represent you or tell you what to argue in a family case. A McKenzie friend may fill that gap.
Domestic abuse: the national family guidance includes gender violence routes (including safety planning and legal options) — raise it in your assessment interview and they will route you to specialist help.

Official links

YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory — we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Citizens Advice, Citizens Advice Manchester, HMCTS, or gov.uk. Service details above are sourced from the charity's official website (citizensadvicemanchester.org.uk), the national Citizens Advice website and local directory, and Manchester City Council's advice pages, verified on 2026-08-27; opening times and service arrangements can change, so always confirm directly with the charity before travelling. This page is general information and is not legal advice. Nothing on this page is an endorsement of any legal service, and Citizens Advice does not endorse this site.

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.