Cost of Living Support
Welcome to our Cost of Living Support section. Our aim is to provide those living and working within the Western Isles to be aware of the wide range of support and advice available during these difficult times.
The soaring prices for food, energy and other essential goods and services are affecting everyone.
The cost of living (at December 2023) show the UK’s annual inflation rate as being 4%, significantly lower than the 9.1% reported for 2021. However, this is not reflected in the shops where prices continue to rise.
Although wholesale energy prices fell in late 2022 there was a substantial delay before customers saw the changes in their bills and the lowering of the price cap in April 2023 was not large enough to take it below the energy price guarantee (EPG) in July 2023.
Unit prices from July-September 2023 were 23% lower than the energy price guarantee (EPG) for gas and 9% lower for electricity with the October to December cap seeing unit prices falling by 8% for gas and 9% for electricity. However, they increased again in January 2024 leaving it approximately 60% higher than it was during the 2021/22 winter, putting further pressure on our communities.
It is important that individuals and communities are made aware of the support and advice available to them in these difficult times. (Note. all information featured was correct at time of publication)
Cost of Living Support Scotland
Cost of Living Support Scotland provides information on the wide range of advice and financial support available to people in Scotland. Visit: http://gov.scot/costoflivingsupport
Designed as a ‘one stop shop’ to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis, the Scottish Government 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. A useful Cost of Living leaflet has also been produced.
MoneyHelper
MoneyHelper offers 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. Produced by the UK Government, the website 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
Further support
Scottish Welfare Fund
From April 1st 2013, The Department of Works and Pensions replaced the Social Fund with the Scottish Welfare Fund. The new scheme:
- helps people out of an emergency situation if it is going to affect their health.
- keeps people out of institutional care by enabling them to live in their own homes.
The two available grants are:
- Crises Grants – help people, usually on benefits, who are in crises due to a disaster or emergency such as a broken cooker, washing machine or not having enough money to cover food or energy bills.
- Community Care Grants – helps people on benefits to stay in their own homes rather than go into care or if they are leaving care this would provide help to set them up in their own home. This grant also offers help to the families under pressure.
Applicants should be aged 16 and over and in receipt of Income Support, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, income-related employment and support allowance, universal credit, savings pension credit, guaranteed pension credit – although this is not always essential as Crises Grants take into consideration the applicant’s situation and the likely impact on them and their family.
Low-income Cost of Living Payment
You may be entitled to 3 Cost of Living Payments (£301, £300 and £299) if you receive any of the following benefits or tax credits on certain dates:
- Universal Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Disability Cost of Living Payment
You may get a payment of £150 if you get any of these:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement.
You do not need to apply. If you are eligible, you’ll be paid automatically.
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment (£300)
The Pensioner Cost of Living payment is a top-up to your normal Winter Fuel Payment. If you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024, you'll get the top-up with your normal payment from November 2023.
The top-up is £300 per household. If you live with someone who is also entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, you will each get a £150 top-up.
You will get this in addition to any low income or disability Cost of Living Payments you qualify for.
The full amount of Winter Fuel Payment (including the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment) you will get for winter 2023 to 2024 depends on:
- when you were born
- your circumstances during the qualifying dates.
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023 to 2024 if you were born before 25 September 1957.
You will get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get if you are eligible.
Food Banks work with local communities to ensure that everyone has access to food. In addition, they also signpost people to other essential benefits and services, and may also serve as community hubs offering additional support.
A number of Food Banks are available throughout the Western Isles and offer food parcels which can be delivered or collected. Click here to view the list.
For further information, please contact Rachel Macdonald by emailing: r.macdonald@cne-siar.gov.uk
Useful Services Factsheet
A useful factsheet has been produced by NHS Western Isles which lists a wide range of helpful local and national services and organisations, along with what each offers and their contact details. This includes those offering information and advice on money and benefit support, care and health, debt, food banks, domestic abuse, learning, employment, mental health, addictions, housing, volunteering and physical activity. Click here to view the Useful Services factsheet.
Financial Help for Parent and Carers: Are you entitled?
A useful factsheet for parents and carers on financial help they may be entitled to. This includes tax-free childcare, Best Start Grants, Best Start Foods, obtaining a free Financial Health Check, the NHS Minor Ailments Service, Warm Home Discount Scheme and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's free school meals / assistance with school clothing. Click here to view the Parent and Carers Information factsheet.
Scottish Social Security – Social Security Scotland
A useful factsheet for individuals on the wide range of benefits available. This includes Carer's Allowance Supplement, Best Start Grant (Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment, School Age Payment, Best Start Foods, Funeral Support Payment, Young Carer Grant, Job Start Payment, Child Winter Heating Assistance, Scottish Child Payment and Child Disability Payment Click here to view the Scottish Social Security factsheet.
Worrying About Money: Financial advice and support is available if you're struggling to make ends meet
A useful leaflet from Citizens Advice Bureau featuring a range of financial problems, with advice on options available and where to receive further help and support, both local and national. Click here to view the Worrying About Money leaflet.
Helping Your Employees During the Cost of Living Crisis
A useful factsheet has been produced by NHS Western Isles aimed at employers on how they can support their employee's financial wellbeing with practice and helpful support. This includes talking openly about financial issues, shift/working patterns and reducing travel costs, use of communal facilities, reviewing lowering own workplace costs with staff help and training/awareness raising. Click here to view the Helping Your Employees During the Cost of Living Crisis factsheet.
It's Okay To Ask
High food and energy prices have led to real pressure for everyone, especially for families who have money worries. Having to make decisions every day about what you can and can’t afford is very challenging. Finding enough money for food, heating and lighting bills, and things that your children need can lead to real stress and anxiety. Those difficulties might even affect how well you are able to look after your children, and yourself. There are lots of ways and places you can ask for some help – click here to view.
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
For advice on how to #ShutOutScammers visit:
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 the booklet click here.
You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the charity’s website at crimestoppers-uk.org
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