Support coping with rising living costs

Urgent Help

Help with money 

Scottish Welfare Fund: 

  • Crisis Grants - for emergencies when you have no other means, such as: 
    • Money for food or heating 
    • A fire or flood at home 
    • Escaping domestic abuse  
    • Caring for a child while waiting for benefit transfers 
    • A sudden loss of income due to job changes or redundancy
  • Community Care Grant - to help you or someone you care for live independently in situations such as:
    • Leaving care or imprisonment 
    • Homelessness 
    • Escaping domestic abuse 
    • Caring for a child when their health is at risk  

About the fund, and apply online or call 0131 270 5600 

Help with food 

If you cannot afford food get in touch with your local Citizens Advice Bureau (Dalkeith or Penicuik), health visitor, or primary/secondary school contact to request a referral to your local Food Bank. 

Alternatively, visit your local food pantry or community fridge. 

If you still need support for food: 

  • Adult Social Care: 0131 271 3900.  

If you have a family with children 0-18 years old: 

  • Children & Families: 0131 271 3413 

Help if you are homeless or about to be homeless 

Contact the Homelessness Team on: 

If you have nowhere to stay and need help when our office is closed, contact the out of hours service: 

  • 0131 353 0555 

Help with your energy bills  

If you cannot afford to top up your prepayment meter, the following support is available: 

If you cannot afford to pay your energy bills, contact your energy supplier to check what support is available: 

Can’t find the right help or worried for someone’s safety? 

If none of the above options apply, or you’re worried someone is at risk of harm, please contact: 

  • Children & Families: 0131 271 3413 
    (Emergency Out of Hours: 0800 731 6969) 

  • Adult Social Care: 0131 271 3900 
    (Emergency Out of Hours: 0800 731 6969) 

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