Money

• Citizens Advice Scotland - Freephone: 0800 028 1456 (Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm) for help with housing, benefits, debt and consumer issues such as energy bills. Visit their website for information, advice and guidance or find your local bureau.

• Social Security Scotland - Freephone: 0800 182 2222 (Mon - Fri 8am - 6pm) to find out about benefits and grants or support paying for a funeral, disabled people, carers and young people entering the workplace. If you are disabled, you can get free support from an independent advocate to help you to apply for Social Security benefits. Freephone: 0300 303 1660, email: helpline@voiceability.org or visit: Voice Ability to find out more.

The Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting your family. You get weekly payments for each child up to the age of 15. It does not affect any other benefits that you, or any person in your household, currently receive. Scottish Child Payment is one of 5 family payments you can apply for from Social Security Scotland, such as Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods.

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods are payments that help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child.

Child Benefit - you'll usually get Child Benefit for children you're responsible for. Only one person can receive Child Benefit for each child.

• Scottish Welfare Fund - you may be able to get a grant if you need help you pay for essentials, such as food, gas, electricity or household goods.

• Department for Work and Pensions - for information on welfare, pensions and working age, disability and ill health benefits. 

• Home Energy Scotland - Freephone: 0808 808 2282 (Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm, Sat 9am - 5pm) for advice and help to keep your home warm, cut your energy costs, and reduce your bills.

• Energy Advice Scotland provide free, practical advice and information on energy-related matters to the citizens of Scotland.

• National Debtline - Freephone: 0808 808 4000 (Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, Sat 9.30am - 1pm) for free advice and resources to help you with your debts.
  

• Step Change - Freephone 0800 138 1111 (Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm, Sat 8am - 4pm) for free advice, guidance and tools to help with debt problems. 

If you’re struggling, find out how to get emergency food from your local Trussell Trust food bank. This only includes Trussell Trust food banks but other food banks and sources of emergency food may be available in your local area.

Please contact your local council for other food banks and sources of emergency food.

Find Your Credit Union - Search the online directory of Credit Unions across the UK.

Independent Food Aid Network is a network of independent food aid providers aiming to ensure everyone has access to affordable nutritious food.

East Dunbartonshire

The East Dunbartonshire Income Maximisation Service is available to all East Dunbartonshire residents and provides free confidential advice if you are experiencing any financial worries or hardships.

East Renfrewshire

Money Advice and Rights Teams East Renfrewshire offer free, expert and confidential advice about debt, benefits and appeals. They can help with benefit applications and appeals to make sure you have your income maximised.

Glasgow

Community lenders

• Glasgow Credit Union (GCU) - anyone living or working in the West of Scotland can join. Services include low-cost loans, member discounts and competitive deals on mortgages and insurance. Phone: 0141 274 9933 or visit:  or view their Financial Wellbeing Hub.

Local support services

• Glasgow Helps - Phone 0141 276 1185 (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm) for free confidential advice on issues such as food, utilities, income maximisation, housing, homelessness and more.
• Glasgow Home Energy Advice Team (G-HEAT) can provide support to reduce fuel bills by obtaining the best tariffs and making the most efficient use of heating systems. Freephone: 0800 092 9002 or email: g-heat@thewisegroup.co.uk

Glasgow Advice and Information Network offers free advice.

Glasgow Council website has information about Council Tax and Benefits.

Inverclyde

Inverclyde Life provide free, independent money advice for all Inverclyde residents, regardless of age, background or status.

Renfrewshire

Money Advice in Renfrewshire offer benefits and money advice.

West Dunbartonshire

Money Advice in West Dunbartonshire offer benefit and debt advice.

• Breathing Space - if you are feeling low, anxious or depressed. Freephone: 0800 83 85 87 (Mon - Fri 6pm - 2am, 24 hours at weekend). 

• Samaritans - if you need help or are worried about someone. Freephone: 116 123 (open 24 hours, 7 days per week) or visit their website to find out other ways of getting in touch.

Young Scot

Young Scot Money and Finance page has lots of information from ‘How to manage your money in the Cost Crisis’ to ‘How to open a bank account’.

Young Scot National Entitlement Card

The Young Scot National Entitlement Card (Young Scot NEC) is free of charge to 11 to 25-year-olds (inclusive) living in Scotland. Use it for money off the things you love. Visit Young Scot National Entitlement Card for more information.

• Contact has advice about benefits, money and debt.

• Family Fund has information about grants and support.

• Children 1st has Money Advice tips for families.

• Fighting UK Poverty - Turn2us has information about benefits and grants relevant to your situation.