With winter fast approaching and energy bills rising, now is the time to get money advice.
You can book an appointment with Advice Works and Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau. They provide free expert advice on money, bills, benefits, debt and financial support.
Many people may be entitled to help that they are not currently receiving. During your appointment, you can find out what help and support is available. Advisers can check benefit entitlement and provide advice on a range of money matters.
Appointments are available during Talk Money Week (Monday 2 to Friday 6 November).
Book an advice appointment online.
You can also make an appointment over the phone. Call:
- Advice Works: 0300 300 1238
- Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau: 0141 889 2121
Other appointments are also available any other week.
A wide range of support is available.
People on low incomes
Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit for working-age people and families who are living on a low income and are either in work, out of work or unable to work.
Older people
Pension Credit is a means-tested benefit for people who have reached State Pension age and are living on a low income.
Families
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods are payments that help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child.
Child Benefit helps towards the costs of supporting a child or young person up to the age of 19 years of age.
The Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting a child that is under 16 years of age.
Free School Meals, School Meals Holiday Payments and School Clothing Grants are available for children that attend Council nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools or additional support needs schools.
Unpaid carers
Young Carer Grant is a payment for young carers aged 16, 17, 18 or 19 years old, who provide unpaid care for an average of 16 hours a week.
The Carer Support Payment is financial support if you provide unpaid care for 35 hours or more a week, are aged 16 or over, and the person you care for must also get a qualifying benefit. For those that care for more than one person, the Carer Additional Person Payment could be payable.
Disability and long-term health conditions
Child Disability Payment helps with the extra care and mobility costs a disabled child (aged under 16 years of age) might have.
Adult Disability Payment is extra money to help you if you have a disability or long term health condition that affects your everyday life.
The Pension Age Disability Payment can give extra money if you have reached State Pension age and have care needs because of a disability or long term health condition.
Young people
The Job Start Payment helps with the costs of starting a new job. You can apply if you’re a young person (16 to 24 years old) or care leaver who’s both been out of work and on certain benefits.
Warm Homes Discount
You may be eligible for the Warm Homes Discount if your energy supplier is part of the scheme and you (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits. For some qualifying benefits, you’ll get the discount automatically and your energy supplier should let you know about this. For others, you will need to apply direct to your energy supplier.
Housing and other costs
Get help if you’re struggling to pay your bills and worried about getting into debt, or need advice on existing debt including mortgage payments, rent, Council Tax, credit cards, loans, energy debt or any other type of debt.