Call the Lone Parent Helpline on 0808 801 0323
Last updated: 25/10/2022
Our support and advice for single parents includes information about benefits and tax credits, childcare, separation, work, child maintenance and more.
If you can’t find the information you are looking for or just prefer to talk to us, call our Lone Parent Helpline. We are here to help.
The Lone Parent Helpline
The Lone Parent Helpline provides advice and support to single parents. Call us about anything from dealing with a break-up, sorting out child maintenance, understanding benefits, money when having a baby, studying or moving into work. We provide a free confidential friendly service that provides advice and supports your wellbeing, whatever you are going through.
Live chat
You can speak with our advisers on our webchat if you prefer it to calling the helpline. Webchat is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm.
Email us
You can also email us at advice@opfs.org.uk.
We will respond to your email query as quickly as we can.
- Caller, Lone Parent Helpline
Advice and Information
Take a look at our video about our Advice and Information service team, which includes the information topics we provide guidance on and the Lone Parent Helpline.
When can I talk to the Lone Parent Helpline?
We are open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm.
Is the Lone Parent Helpline open on public holidays?
The helpline is open all the public holidays except Easter, Christmas and New year. We are also closed between Christmas and New Year.
Is it free to call the Lone Parent Helpline?
Your call is free of charge from any UK landline or mobile. One Parent Families Scotland pays for the cost of the calls.
Will a call to the Lone Parent Helpline appear on my phone bill?
No. Any calls to the Lone parent Helpline will not appear on any phone bill.
Is there an interpreting service for people who do not speak English?
Yes. We can provide interpreters in up to 250 languages. If English is not your first language and you would like talk to us via an interpreter, call us and let us know which language you require, and we will immediately connect you to an interpreter.
Is there an interpreting service for the deaf and hard of hearing?
Users of Scotland’s British Sign Language Interpreting Video Relay Service can contact us via contact SCOTLAND-BSL. You need to be online and have downloaded the contactSCOTLAND-BSL/interpreternow software app. Call 0131 510 4555 to connect to the online interpreter using your usual phone. Alternatively, you can download the BT Relay UK app and an assistant will help you throughout the call, free of charge.
Do you offer webchat for single parents too?
Yes. You can speak with our advisers on our webchat if you prefer it to calling the helpline. Webchat is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm.
What happens to my personal information?
Only OPFS receives your personal information. We only use it for the purposes of dealing with your enquiry, quality monitoring or evaluating the services we provide. Your personal information and details of the enquiries received are stored for a time on a secure database. If for any reason you wish to have your personal details removed please contact us again at advice@opfs.org.uk. For more details on how OPFS collect and use your data, please read our Privacy Policy.