Advice on money worries during coronavirus pandemic from Scottish Government and Citizens Advice
People in Scotland who are facing money worries as a result of coronavirus are being urged to take full advantage of the support available.
The coronavirus pandemic has led to more people facing challenges around bills, rent and job security.
The Scottish Government, in partnership with the Citizens Advice network in Scotland, is raising awareness of the support available for those who need it during these difficult times. People can access free, confidential, money advice from their local Citizens Advice Bureau, by visiting cas.org.uk or calling the freephone number 0800 028 1456.
Advice is available on a range of issues including rent and mortgage payments, energy bills, council tax and benefits people may be entitled to.
Benefits can include increasing income through Universal Credit, while things like council tax reductions or mortgage deferrals can temporarily help reduce outgoings each month.
For renters, the Scottish Government has asked landlords to be flexible and not evict people who are struggling financially because of coronavirus, introducing new legislation to provide added protection.
Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning, Kevin Stewart MSP, said:
“We understand that the pandemic is having a significant impact on many people’s ability to pay the bills. The Scottish Government reacted swiftly to provide support to ensure that those in need have access to food, and that tenants would have greater protection from eviction. People should seek out available support where they are having difficulties in paying their bills.
“Through the Scottish Government partnership approach with the Citizens Advice network in Scotland, people can access free and confidential money advice from their local Citizens Advice Bureau, on issues like rent and mortgage payments, energy bills, council tax and benefits that they may be entitled to.”
Citizens Advice Scotland Deputy Chief Executive Anne Lavery said:
“The public health crisis of coronavirus has also meant a crisis of income for many people.
“Our message to the public is that help is here from the Citizens Advice network in Scotland, and people can access advice in a variety of ways that suit their needs.
“Local bureaux continue to provide advice, thousands of people are checking our online advice pages for solutions and our freephone helpline launched earlier this year.
“For over 80 years our network has helped people with free, confidential and impartial advice for people, and we will continue to do so during this pandemic.”
Advice for those who have been financially affected:
1. Review household bills
Do you have any non-essential subscriptions that can be cancelled or are you on the best deal? Use comparison websites and call your provider to see what they can do to make your bills more affordable.
2. Can you temporarily reduce bills?
For those bills that have to stay and can’t be reduced, find out if there’s wiggle room to temporarily reduce payments. However, always check if this will affect interest rates later on or how much you pay back overall.
3. Mortgage/rent
In light of coronavirus most mortgage providers are offering mortgage payment deferrals for up to three months. Remember that after your payment deferral you’ll still need to make up the payments you missed, plus interest added during the 3 months. If you rent you should speak to your landlord to find out if they can be flexible with your payments during this time.
4. Benefits
There are a number of benefits that you may be entitled to if your income has been reduced as a result of coronavirus. For more information and advice on how to claim benefits or get more money on your current benefits, please visit cas.org.uk
5. Support from your local council
Local councils can offer support too. A council tax reduction or payment flexibility may be an option. Councils also manage the Scottish Welfare Fund - this fund pays out emergency grants to people who have no other way of paying for what they need, like food, gas or electricity. Information on this support is available at cas.org.uk
6. Contact the Citizens Advice network
The advice available through the Citizens Advice network in Scotland is free, confidential and impartial and will help you find out more about managing your finances during coronavirus. Citizens Advice bureaux and the network's online advice covers a wide range of topics including council tax reductions and social security you may be entitled to, redundancy and other employment issues, housing topics including information on rent and mortgage payments and details on paying your energy bills.
For the contact details of your local Citizens Advice Bureau and online advice visit cas.org.uk or call 0800 028 1456
