Staff News - December 2022
Benefits and other support available for the cost of living crisis
There is a vast range of financial and other support available for individuals and families. There are help and support schemes available for children, working-age adults and pensioners.
Help includes free school meals and school clothing grants of up to £150, £30 per week during term time from Education Maintenance Allowance, reductions in the amount of council tax to pay, help with paying rent, universal credit, pension credit and help for carers. Some of the help available takes income and savings into account whereas others are assessed on the individual’s needs and ignores how much money and savings they have. Once in payment, some benefits also lead to other help, including free TV licences, Blue Badge for on-street free parking, and extra help with the costs of living and energy costs.
We don’t want anyone to miss out on the help that they are entitled to receive. We have listed some information below which may be available to you, your family and friends, and the individuals and families you support in your professional capacity. The following is just some of the help available – there are many more benefits and supports that can be claimed.
If you or someone you know are receiving certain benefits, the Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting families. It's a weekly payment of £25 for every child under 16 years of age.
Child Disability Payment provides between £24.45 to £92.40 each week for the extra costs that a disabled child might have and it doesn’t take into account the income and earnings of parents and guardians.
Adult Disability Payments provides between £61.85 and £92.40 to help those with a disability or long-term health condition that affects their everyday life. This help doesn’t take income and earnings into account and is available to those who are in work and not in work.
Universal Credit helps with living costs. It can top up earnings and help those who are out of work. It’s a monthly payment which includes help with paying rent.
Pension Credit is often underclaimed and once it’s in payment, a free TV licence may be available. Pension Credit gives extra money to help with living costs for those over State Pension age and on a low income.
Attendance Allowance is available for older adults who need help with daily living. It pays up to £92.40 per week and once in payment, you can apply for a Blue Badge.
Carers can get £69.70 a week if they care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
You or someone you know, could get £150 off your/their electricity bill from the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
A new grant funding was launched on 1 December, in partnership with SSE Renewables. This funding is directly linked to the ongoing Energy Efficiency Scotland – Area Based Scheme, which has been running in Highland for the past nine years. The Area Based Scheme offers eligible households an opportunity to apply for energy saving adaptations to their homes to reduce energy bills. The new funding will help those most in need, because it may remove the need for householder contributions to the scheme and is aimed at helping those suffering the most from fuel poverty.
We have much more information on our website to help with the cost of living and we are adding to it almost daily. We have also produced a very popular Money Worries leaflet in 6 languages, and a video below: