Useful Sources of Help and Advice
Check out this leaflet created by the City of Edinburgh Council on the various sources of help available to Edinburgh citizens who may be worrying about money.
There are various online benefit calculators you can use to check benefit entitlement.
Check out the following Government websites for information on benefits.
- UK Government gov.uk
- Scottish Government mygov.scot
Citizens Advice Scotland also provides a wealth of useful information on benefits.
Check you’re getting all the support available to you to help with the cost of living. There may be support available you do not know about.
The City of Edinburgh Council Guidance
Shelter Scotland’s website provides tons of information on housing issues and housing rights.
The Scottish Tax Clinic can help low-income individuals with their income tax questions (including self-assessment and income tax debt). Clinic times: Fridays 9:00-4:00pm, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Law School. Phone: 0345 120 3779 (to book an appointment), Email: taxclinic@ed.ac.uk or Website: https://taxaid.org.uk/
Use the Turn2Us Grants Search tool to identify charity grants for which you may be eligible based on your circumstances.
Housing Support workers do not deliver personal care. Personal care, and assistance with other essential tasks including washing, dressing and preparing meals are provided by the Council’s Department of Health and Social Care.
Access to these services, and information about the Assessment Process, is via the City of Edinburgh Council’s Social Care Direct.
For furniture assistance, consider an application to a Community Care Grant from the City of Edinburgh Council.
There are also a variety of sources of low cost furniture in Edinburgh. Only people in certain circumstances are eligible for free furniture assistance.
Gateway to Homes and Communities provides furniture starter packs to homeless people moving in to new homes. They can be contacted on 0131 561 8903.
Bethany Homemaker and FreshStart are other potential sources of assistance.
Breathing Space
If you are feeling depressed or experiencing low mood you can phone and speak to a BREATHING SPACE advisor between 6pm & 2am any day of the week on 0800 83 85 87 (calls are free of charge)
Samaritans
If you are feeling distressed, in state of despair, suicidal or need emotional support, contact SAMARITANS on 08457 90 90 90 (local rate). The phone line is available 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.
Edinburgh Women’s Aid
Local support for women experiencing domestic abuse. You do not need to be in crisis before approaching this service. Contact Women’s Aid on 0131 315 8110 or by email info@edinwomensaid.co.uk
NHS 24
For health advice 24 hours a day throughout the year you can contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24 although if your surgery is open please contact your GP in the first instance.
Other counselling services
This Connect Here guide includes more information on counselling services in Edinburgh.
National drug helpline 0800 77 66 00
Drinkline 0800 917 8282
www.smartrecovery.org.uk
SMART UK help people recover from addictive behaviour and lead meaningful and satisfying lives. Our approach is secular and science based; using motivational, behavioural and cognitive methods. They run a network of self help meetings and also partner with care professionals.
For any life threatening emergencies contact 999.
Note:
Listing of sites and links to them should not be taken as an endorsement of any kind. We do not accept responsibility for the contents or reliability of the linked web sites nor do we accept any liability for their accuracy or content.