Families across Scotland are being urged to check they are receiving all the financial support they are entitled to, as demand for advice reaches record levels. Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has revealed its network supported almost 24,000 families from groups at the highest risk of child poverty last year.
Record Demand and New Funding
The charity said advisers are seeing record levels of demand from people across all parts of Scotland, with financial difficulties often forming part of a wider range of problems facing households. CAS has now received £2.7 million from the Scottish Government as part of its new £20 million Whole Family Support Fund.
The funding will be used to help families with babies and children under five and provide tailored advice and practical support aimed at improving household incomes and helping families overcome financial barriers. CAS will deliver the project in partnership with Home-Start UK and Save the Children UK across 19 local authority areas.
Advice Network's Unique Approach
Karen Nailen, Director of Advice at Citizens Advice Scotland, said: “Our network is seeing record levels of demand from people across all corners of Scotland. One of the unique elements of our advice is its people-centred, wraparound nature where few problems exist in neat isolation. We see and understand a person’s complete set of circumstances.”
“Last year alone our network supported almost 24,000 families from priority groups - that's the six groups at highest risk of experiencing relative child poverty identified by the Scottish Government. We can never lose sight of the systems and structures that force families and children into poverty and keep people trapped there.”
She added the new funding would allow CAS and its partners to reach more families at risk of poverty through local communities and provide tailored advice.
How to Check for Unclaimed Benefits
Households struggling with the cost of living, or anyone whose circumstances have recently changed, can carry out their own initial check to see whether they could be missing out on benefits or other financial support. Many households could be due an income boost from unclaimed benefits or discounts on Council Tax, and setting aside 15 minutes to use a free, confidential benefits calculator could ease the financial pressure this year.
People on a low income could be entitled to a saving of up to £950 a year through the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is only available in Scotland. Older people on a low income may be entitled to an income boost, worth on average £4,300, through Pension Credit. The latest figures from the DWP suggest 760,000 people are eligible for the means-tested benefit but not claiming it.
Some pensioners think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, however, an award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support. Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK. Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234.
People under State Pension age with health conditions could be eligible for Adult Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). A successful claim could be worth between £30.30 and £194.60, some £121.20 and £778.40 every four-week pay period. People over State Pension age with health conditions could be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment or Attendance Allowance. A successful claim could be worth either £76.70 or £114.60 per week, some £306.80 or £458.40 every four-week pay period.
Who Should Check and What to Use
An online benefits calculator isn't a magic wand to wave away money worries, but it can give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much you could be eligible to claim - but it's up to you to actually make the application. You should check if: you are temporarily unable to work, including because of ill health; you are of working age on a low income; you are over State Pension age on a low income; you have been made redundant; you are looking for work; you are raising a family; you have a child who is disabled or has a health condition; you are disabled or have a health condition; you are caring for someone; or you have lost a loved one.
Online benefit calculators quickly work out if you are missing out on any benefits and are completely free, independent and confidential to use. In just a few minutes you could find out how much you may be able to claim in extra support, just by entering details about yourself, your residential status, your working status and any savings you have. You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out what benefits you could get, how to claim, how your benefits will be affected if you start work, and where to find help.
Advice Direct Scotland's online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits including Scottish Child Payment and Adult, Child or Pension Age Disability Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Other benefits calculators include Turn2us, Entitledto, Policy in Practice, and Citizens Advice Scotland.
Before you start, gather the following information: savings, income including your partner's, existing benefits and pensions including anyone living with you, outgoings such as rent, mortgage, and childcare payments, and your latest Council Tax bill. The whole process should take about 10 minutes.
