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Our Services: Living Well Support

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Our Living Well Support page offers information on the wide range of cost of living support available, both locally and nationally, as well as steps to help keep yourself safe from fraud.

Cost of Living Support Scotland

Cost of Living Support Scotland is a new website from the Scottish Government providing information on the wide range of advice and financial support available to people in Scotland has been launched. Visit: http://gov.scot/costoflivingsupport
 
Designed as a ‘one stop shop’ to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis, the website includes information on help available for households to meet rising energy, housing and other costs.  It also provides details on accessing Scottish and UK social security payments, including online benefit calculators, as well as wider health and wellbeing information.  Click here to view its Cost of Living leaflet.
 
The Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership (OHCPP) have produced a helpful Winter Campaign against Poverty leaflet with useful links. Click here to view the leaflet.

MoneyHelper

MoneyHelper is a UK Government website offering a range of free, expert tools and guidance so if you're struggling to stay on top of bills, need to manage irregular earnings or are worried about credit, it can help you find your way forward and take the first step towards getting on top of things.  Visit: www.moneyhelper.org.uk

StepChange Debt Charity Scotland

StepChange Debt Charity Scotland provide free debt advice, to help you deal with your debt and set up a solution.  Visit www.stepchange.org

Money/Benefits

You can find out what benefits you could get and how to claim them using the free to use and anonymous online Benefits Calculator at www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Alternatively, you can find out if you are eligible for benefits or grants, or are entitled to additional benefits by contacting your local Citizens Advice Bureau on 0800 028 1456 or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland

Keeping Safe (fraud)

 
Criminals continue to take the opportunity to target the vulnerable and those who live alone, whether by visiting households, telephone, online or by post.  

Useful tips are…

  • don’t give people money or your bank details/cards if they knock on your door if you don’t know them
  • don’t keep large amounts of cash in your home
  • never be afraid to say ‘no thank you’ and close the door or put down the phone
  • never be pressurised or feel rushed to make a decision, if in doubt contact a friend or family member for advice

Beware of Scam GP/Hospital Calls

Criminals may also claim to be from your local hospital or GP practice, or be doctors themselves, asking you to press a button to update your details, or asking for a payment. Many of these messages suggest that if you do not update your details, you will be removed from their patient list.  

This is a common trick used by criminals to increase the sense of urgency, panicking individuals into giving out their details or pressing buttons on their phone.

Remember, take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or any personal information.  It's ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests – and only criminals will try to rush or panic you.

If you receive a call from an unknown number or individual asking you to update your details, hang up.  NEVER provide them with any details and NEVER press a number on your handset in these situations if asked.  ALWAYS hang up. If you receive a scam telephone call, you can report this to Police Scotland by telephoning 101.

If you are at all unsure about an issue relating to your health, please contact your GP practice direct.  In the event you have revealed your banking information, contact your bank immediately.

Further steps to protect against scammers

For advice on how to #ShutOutScammers visit:
👉 https://www.trustedtrader.scot/
👉Take Five – To Stop Fraud | To Stop Fraud (takefive-stopfraud.org.uk)
👉 http://ow.ly/LjaH50yZMKg

A useful booklet entitled Safer Communities Safer Scotland has been produced which offers practical tips on how to keep you, your family and your community safe – from protecting your home and possessions to helping your children enjoy the benefits of the internet in safety. To view, click here.

You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the charity’s website at crimestoppers-uk.org

Useful links
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