Find help for your project always stores a work request. It does not send the free-help arrangement, even if Budget is left empty. A free-help request is one the product already marks as free help, with no budget, no private limit, and no deposit. People respond on that request with Send an offer at zero price. Do not invent a price to force the ordinary form into free help.
Where to go
Post request stores a work request. The API can store free help only when the request is sent with that arrangement and with no budget, no ceiling, and no deposit. The posting form does not send that arrangement.
What to do
- If you need unpaid help and the screen in front of you is Post request, say so in Details and do not fill Budget or Private limit.
- Expect that request to stay a work request. Do not accept a priced offer unless you mean to start paid work.
- When a request is already marked free help, responders use Send an offer, not a budget.
- To switch to paid work later, post a separate request. Do not edit a price into the free-help record.
What you should see
The request page shows Send an offer for free help only when offer help is available. You fill Confirmed scope and deliverables and an optional Message. The form says sending an offer does not charge you. Post request does not create this arrangement. A priced Send an offer is a different action, submit proposal, and it is hidden on free help.
What this does not mean
- An empty Budget field does not make the request free help.
- You cannot add a deposit later and keep the free-help rules.
- Posting does not assign a helper.