Cost of Living Support

We know many of our tenants and residents are struggling to make ends meet due to the increased cost of living.

We believe that nobody living in one of our properties should have to choose between heating or eating. That’s why we are helping our tenants and residents access all the information and support that may be available to them to help through this crisis.

Below is a list of advice, support and tips to help with everything from energy to food and money management.

 

MAXIMISE YOUR INCOME

Check your benefits

Did you know that up to 7 million people in the UK miss out on income-related state benefits?

We can help make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to. Our Welfare Rights team can help with benefit maximisation, or you can use an online benefits calculator.

Our Welfare Rights team can also check if you are eligible for Council Tax reduction and can help you apply for benefits and grants you may be entitled to.

To make an appointment with our Welfare Rights team, please phone: 0141 429 3900 

Are you eligible for Pension Credit?

If you’re over State Pension age, check if you’re eligible for Pension Credit. This can provide extra money or support for living costs such as housing costs, Council Tax, heating bills and a free TV licence (over 75s).

Even if you have savings, own your own home or have a retirement income, you may still be entitled to Pension Credit if you are State Pension age.

Scottish Government Support

The Scottish Government has launched a dedicated Cost of Living website which contains information for families, carers, the elderly and disabled, as well as information on who to contact if you need urgent food or fuel assistance.

 

SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN

Free early years childcare

All three and four year-olds, and eligible two year-olds are entitled to 1140 hours of free early learning and childcare. This works out at 30 hours per week over term time (38 week school year) or 22.5 hours per week over a full year (50 weeks). You can find out more information about the services available, and how to apply, here. 

Scottish Child Payment

You may be eligible for a Scottish Child Payment to help towards the costs of supporting your family. If eligible you can claim £25 per child per week. Paid every four weeks, it can be used for things like travel costs, nappies, childcare or family days out.

This Scottish Child Payment Factsheet gives further information on eligibility and how to apply.

 

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. They are two separate payments that you apply for using the same form. You’ll get separate letters to let you know whether you’ll get each payment.

Best Start Grant is made up of 3 one-off payments:

  • Pregnancy and Baby Payment
  • Early Learning Payment
  • School Age Payment.

Best Start Foods is a prepaid card that can be used in shops or online to buy healthy foods like milk or fruit. The payments you can get now will depend on:

  • how far along in your pregnancy you are
  • how old your child is

School meals and clothing

All Primary 1 – 5 pupils in Glasgow are automatically entitled to free school meals.

If your child is not in the above year groups, you can still apply for a free school meal.

You may also be eligible to apply for a School Clothing Grant. More information and how to apply for free school meals and clothing grants can be found here.

You may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) if you are aged 16-19 and wish to stay on in education.

School holiday activities and meals

Gorbals Leisure Centre – during holiday periods Gorbals Leisure Centre and other Glasgow Life venues typically offer free family swims and other activities. See the Glasgow Club website for more information on free upcoming events and activities.

You may be eligible for a Free School Meal Payment which covers lunches throughout the school holidays. For more information please see the Free School Meals page on Glasgow City Council website.

Free bus travel for young people

Young people aged 5-21 years old are now eligible for a card which gives free bus travel. A National Entitlement card is required to access the scheme.

Single parent support

One Parent Families Scotland is a national organisation offering advice and information to single parent families. One Parent Families Scotland aims to enable single parent families to achieve their potential, to reach a decent standard of living and contribute to Scottish society

FUEL AND ENERGY

Energy support and grants

If you are struggling to pay for energy or think you may get into difficulty, contact your supplier and let them know. They may be able to offer a grant to help.

If you can’t get a grant from your supplier, check if you can get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust (0121 348 7797). These grants are available to anyone - you don’t have to be a British Gas customer.

Warm Home Discount

You may be eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme, which you can apply for directly with your fuel supplier. The scheme offers money off your electricity bill for winter for those who are eligible.

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October and March. Check the government site to see if you are eligible, and check here for a list of participating energy providers.

There’s additional fuel support available for prepayment meter tenants in Gorbals too. Get in touch on 0141 429 3900 to ask about a referral.

Glasgow Helps Fuel Support Grant

The Glasgow Helps scheme has launched a fuel support grant with applications open from Monday 3rd October 2022.  Those in receipt of council tax reduction and who have children at home may be eligible to access the fund. The Glasgow Helps scheme can also assist with employability, mental health, physical health, housing issues and much more.

 

Home Energy Scotland

Home Energy Scotland provides free, impartial advice, support and funding to help households reduce their bills and lower their impact on the environment. Visit www.homeenergyscotland.org  

Ofgem Energy Advice for Households

Energy regulator Ofgem has published Help With Bills - Energy Advice for Households, which contains information on financial support, advice on how to make your home warmer, understanding your energy bill, information on your rights and more.

Energy Cost Calculator

If you are worried about the cost of energy, there are some handy energy calculator tools available online such as this one which can help. You simply pick an appliance and set the amount of time you would need to use it and it will give you a rough cost. You can also compare costs of appliances such as gas v electric cooker.

 

 

FOOD

Use community grocery

There is a community grocery available at 37 South Portland Street, G5 9JL, which is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9.30am-4.30pm. Members of the Community Grocery can get up to 3 shops a week with 15 items. There’s also free lunch available. Get in touch on 0141 429 3900 for a referral.

Enjoy a community meal

Riverside Community Breakfast is open to all and takes place on Mondays 9am-11am at 39 Waddell Court community room.

Refer to the local foodbank

If you are struggling to afford enough food to feed yourself and your family, let us know. Our Welfare Rights officers can discuss your options, including a potential referral to a local foodbank for support.

 

MONEY

Ask for debt advice early

If you’re in debt, seek advice early rather than let things spiral out of control. Residents can get help from StepChange or Citizens Advice Bureau.

Citizens Advice provides high quality, free, confidential, independent advice. It can help with debt and money advice, benefits and more. There are local offices in North Street in the City Centre (at the Mitchell Library) and Main Street in Bridgeton.

Citizen’s Advice also provides a self-help tool online called Money Map.

There’s also a Money Advice service available to tenants, which can help with things like debt advice, negotiating with creditors and more. Get in touch on 0141 429 3900 to check if you’re eligible for a referral.

Seek emergency assistance

The Scottish Welfare Fund can help families and people in Scotland who are on low incomes. There are two types of one-off grant you can apply for: Crisis Grant or Community Care Grant. See the Scottish Welfare Fund or call 0141 276 1177 to apply for a Crisis Grant.

Gorbals Law Centre

Gorbals Law Centre offers free legal and money advice, and can help with things like debt, housing and benefits. Visit them at 6 St Ninian’s Terrace or online at www.castlemilklawcentre.co.uk

Turn2us

Turn2us is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. It contains a Grants Search which can help you look for funds that might be able to give you a grant or other types of help. Support is available through their helpline page.

 

 

HEALTH

Look after your mental health

The cost of living crisis has created uncertainty and money worries are at the forefront of everyone’s minds. This ongoing stress can manifest in feelings of embarrassment or shame, and impact on your mental wellbeing. It is important to seek and advice and support if your money struggles are contributing to poor mental health, as ongoing mental health concerns can also impact your income and outgoings.

You can seek support for your mental health in the following ways:

Many people find it difficult to ask for help, but there are a wide range of services available and you can choose the services that appeal to you.

 

 

 

 

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