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As temperatures drop and prices rise we've put together this bulletin to help you check whether you're entitled to more financial help and practical support than you currently receive.
If you have children or teenagers, check out the Scottish Child Payment. It's now available to more families than ever before with an increase in payments and the extension of the age limit to 16 years old.
Don't forget you can also make sure your children and young people get a nutritious meal by signing up for free school meals. And there's free bus travel too for Under 22s, with lots of discounts available for Young Scot Card carriers up to the age of 26.
If you qualify to claim Pension Credit you could also qualify for an extra £324 payment - but you need to apply by 18 December!
We've also got news of help from energy suppliers like British Gas, credit unions and other veteran's organisations, along with top energy savings tips.
Read on to find out more...
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Adult Disability Payment (ADP)
Are you of working age with a long term illness or disability?
If so you could be entitled to Adult Disability Payment.
ADP has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in Scotland and is administered by Social Security Scotland. Applications will be less intrusive than under PIP, with no requirement for a medical assessment unless absolutely necessary or requested by the applicant.
Instead Social Security Scotland will seek supporting intervention from those who know you and your condition best. This could be a GP, Consultant, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or other professional.
If you currently receive PIP, Social Security Scotland will in time transfer cases over onto the new benefit. Your entitlement will not change during this transfer.
Full details on the new benefit, including how to make a claim, which can be done online or started via a phone call
Carers Allowance Supplement
Carers in Scotland who were getting Carer’s Allowance on October 10 will receive a Carer’s Allowance Supplement of £245.70. This payment, made twice per year to people in Scotland who receive Carers Allowance, is being paid automatically.
The supplement is an extra payment, paid twice a year, for people in Scotland who get Carer’s Allowance to top up the level of Carers Allowance that they receive and is not treated as an additional income by any other means tested benefit.
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Are you eligible for the increased Scottish Child Payment? Check now!
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Since Monday 14 November, more families than ever now qualify to get the Scottish Child Payment.
Until now eligible families received £20 per week for every child in the household under the age of 6 years. This was paid every 4 weeks.
These payments have now increased to £25 per week. The age has also been extended from 6 years to all children aged under 16 years whose families meet the eligibility criteria.
To qualify for these payments, the person with responsibility for the child must be be receiving one of the following benefits:-
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
If you need help with a Universal Credit Claim please
How can I find out more?
You can find out more about Scottish Child Payment by visiting:
How can I apply?
You can apply for the Scottish Child Payment by:
- calling Social Security Scotland by phone on 0800 182 2222 (Monday - Friday 8am – 6pm)
- completing an online form or downloading a paper copy of the form
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EA Money website
EA Money is the website of our Financial Inclusion Team (FIT). On there you will find information on a range of social security benefits included updated links and phone numbers to enable you to make a claim for a benefit. You can even do your own benefit check!
The website also has contact details for a number of our partner organisations such as
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Citrus Energy, Macmillan
- Universal Credit Team
plus many others who can assist you with a range of other issues such as debt, fuel and much more.
What happens when I'm referred?
Whether you're referred to the FIT by social workers, partner agencies, health workers or members of the public direct you will initially be allocated a Financial Inclusion Officer or Assistant who will contact you and provide appropriate advice and assistance, including help to complete benefit claim forms if you are unable to do so yourself.
Help to get what you're entitled to
Your FIT Officer or Assistant will also support you to challenge any incorrect decision made by the DWP, Social Security Scotland, HMRC or Local Authority regarding your benefits, including helping with any Mandatory Reconsideration required to challenge a decision.
If necessary they can also make sure you're represented at any social security appeal tribunal if necessary.
We can also refer you elsewhere
If it turns out that your enquiry would be best dealt with by one of our partners, we will, with your consent, make the referral to them on your behalf.
How to get a referral
If you're applying for yourself
If you're a Social Worker
- Social Work staff should always use Liquid Logic to make a referral
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In response to the Cost of Living crisis, East Ayrshire’s two Credit Unions, the Ayrshire Credit Union based in Kilmarnock and the Sovereign Credit Union in Cumnock, have joined forces and have launched a new Cost of Living Loan to help people at their point of need.
The low cost loan will be available immediately to new and existing customers to the value of £300 and you’ll be able to save at the same time!
For further information visit these websites
Claim Pension Credit and you may qualify for extra £324
Pension Credit is a benefit payable to people over State Pension age on a low income. It tops up their Retirement Pension and other income to ensure that they are receiving the minimum level of income to which they are entitled. An award of Pension Credit can also provide additional help such help with housing costs, council tax and the winter heating payment.
By applying for Pension Credit before 18 December, older people could be entitled to an extra £324 Cost of Living Payment.
Check out if you are entitled
- Visit Pension Credit calculator to see if you are eligible and get an estimate of what they may receive
- You can make your claim:
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over the phone (0800 99 1234 - Mon to Frid 8.00am to 6.00pm)
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All children up to and including Primary 5 are now entitled to a nutritious two course free school meal.
If your child is receiving a free school meal from this universal scheme and you live in a low income household, you should still submit an application for Free School Meals for your child.
Don't miss out!
The reason for this is that entitlement to Free School Meals can also give you automatic entitlement to other passported benefits. So don’t miss out.
How to apply
Apply for Free School Meals and the School Clothing Grant worth £120 for a primary school child and £150 for a secondary school child here:
To apply online you will need to
Free bus travel for young people
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Are you under 22?
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Have you got your entitlement to free bus travel?
If you are aged 5-21 and live in Scotland you're eligible to get free bus travel.
Children under 5 can already travel free on buses without the need for a card.
If you're over 5 years old you'll need need either a National Entitlement Card or a Young Scot NEC. For full details on the scheme and how to apply click
Under 26? Apply for your Young Scot card
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Under 26?
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Did you know that you could still apply for your Young Scot card?
As well as enabling those under 22 to apply for free bus travel, the Young Scot card offers a range of discounts that are available locally.
At your local Co-op or Scotmid shop you can get a 10% discount on your shop. So for a young parent, as well as saving on food you can cut the cost of items such as nappies, wipes and baby milk.
To apply for your Young Scot card and see the range of discounts visit:
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View our top energy saving tips
You can help save energy, cut your carbon footprint and keep your home cosier with our
As we approach winter the energy prices rises will really begin to bite with many people having to choose between heating and eating. British Gas currently have an Individual & Families Fund that can help those with a fuel debt of between £250 - £750 and you don’t even need to be a British Gas customer!
On 12 September they also launched a British Gas Energy Support Fund for British Gas customers with a fuel debt of between £250 - £750. For further information on both Funds, visit the
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Keep your home as cosy as possible...
Home Energy Scotland can help you keep your home a bit warmer.
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Need a heat, a cup of tea and a bowl of soup? Or a place to do your washing, charge your phone or just catch up with others?
East Ayrshire Leisure has come together with community groups and churches throughout East Ayrshire to throw open their doors and offer a warm welcome. Find out more here
The programme helps veterans and current members of the Armed Forces Community with everyday essentials such as kitchen appliances, clothes and energy costs. The programme aims to process grants within 5 days |
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The Crane Fund
If you or your late spouse worked for Glenfield and Kennedy when it was owned by Crane, you may be eligible to receive help from The Crane Fund which was set up for ex employees who are in need of financial assistance.
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Help for Union members
If you're a union member and you need financial help, both Unison and Unite can help
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For up to date tips, support and advice visit our
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Call us FREE on 0800 3897750
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