Support coping with rising living costs
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
If you need urgent help with food, housing or energy please go to our Urgent Help page for more information.
Money Advice and Support
Worrying about Money
Learn what local support is available by completing a quick online form. Also available online in Polish, Dari and Urdu. Printed copies also available in local Libraries.
Money Map
Find sources of online support to ease cost of living pressures, from benefits and grants to tips about saving money.
Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network
Cost of Living Support Directory which is updated frequently and packed full of helpful information about local support.
One Parent Scotland
Advice and support for single parent families.
Money Helper
Advice and support on a range of money issues.
Benefits
Citizens Advice Bureau can make sure you get all the benefits you are entitled to as well as offering advice about bills and grants.
- Citizens Advice - Penicuik
- 01968 675 259
- bureau@penicuikcab.org.uk
- or visit a drop-in clinic around Penicuik
- Citizens Advice – Dalkeith
- 0131 660 1636
- bureau@dalkeithcab.org.uk
- or visit a drop-in clinic around Dalkeith
Our Midlothian Council Welfare Rights Team can provide welfare advice, benefits checks and help in a crisis for:
- social work clients
- people over pension age
- people with cancer or their carers
- people who need help appealing a DWP decision.
Contact the Welfare Rights team on:
- WelfareRights@midlothian.gov.uk
- 0131 270 8922
Social Security Scotland staff can provide advice and support about benefits in a local venue or at home by phone, video or face-to-face. Contact freephone 0800 182 2222 and ask for a local appointment.
Support with Council Tax and Rent
Our Revenues Advisors can provide support and guidance about a range of benefits and grants, including the following:
- Scottish Welfare Fund
- Discretionary Housing Payment
- Council Tax
- Housing Benefit
- Council Housing Rent
Contact the Revenues team on:
- 0131 271 3201
- revenues.enquiries@midlothian.gov.uk
Support for families
- Scottish Child Payment
- Child Winter Heating Payment
- Support with childcare costs if you are on Universal Credit or tax credits.
- Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
- Education Maintenance Allowance
- Free school meals and clothing grants
- Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods
- A Good Time to Be 2.
- Child Disability Payment
- Free bus travel for children and young people
Support for people with a disability or their carer
- Adult Disability Payment - replaces Personal Independence Payment.
- Child Disability Payment - replaces Disability Living Allowance.
- Free bus travel – disabled concessionary travel
- Free bus travel on Dial-A-Bus Midlothian
- Carer’s Allowance Supplement
- Young Carer Grant
- Carer Support Payment
Other Support
- Winter Heating Payment
- Funeral Support Payment
- Job Start Payment
- Free or discounted travel if you are over 60
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