The new website provides a “one stop shop” for advice and information.
A new website providing information on the wide range of financial advice and support available to people in Scotland has been launched.
Developed by the Scottish Government as a ‘one stop shop’ to help those battling the cost of living crisis, the website includes information on help available to households to cope with rising living costs. energy, housing and others.
It also provides details of access to Scottish and UK social security payments, including online benefit calculators, as well as broader health and welfare information.
A program commitment to government 2022-23, it will be supported by a national media campaign to raise awareness of the website and direct those affected by rising costs to available help.
The website was launched by Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison during a visit to the debt relief service in Tollcross, Edinburgh, run by the charity Christians Against Poverty.
Shona Robison said:
“I know people are struggling with the cost of living crisis right now and may not know where to turn for help. Our Cost of Living website is a reliable online resource with information on the wide range of life-saving supports available.
“No one should feel alone in this crisis and this website, together with our campaign, aims to encourage people to find out if they are eligible for the extensive support available to access the advice they need. We want everyone to receive all the financial support and help available. So I encourage people to ask for the payments they’re entitled to – maybe that’s just the lifeline they need right now.
“We have allocated almost £3billion this financial year to help alleviate the heightened cost of living crisis and the new website highlights the wide range of support at your fingertips. Our package covers a range of support services, for energy bills, childcare, health and travel, and social security payments that are not available anywhere else in the UK. The website is an important indicator for all of them.
“The cost of living crisis is impacting every household in the UK and the Scottish Government will continue to do everything in its power and with a limited budget to ensure people are supported where possible. .”
Scottish National Director of Christians Against Poverty, Emma Jackson, said: “We are deeply concerned about the impact of rising costs on low-income households. Even before the cost escalation, more than a third (36%) of CAP clients had to borrow to meet essential living expenses and we know that the consequences of a debt problem can be devastating for people.
“The Scottish Government’s new Cost of Living website is a welcome step in helping people find and access all the vital support available to them, including measures to maximize their income. People need to know that help is available. Now more than ever, we need to take all possible steps to support the households hardest hit by the cost of living crisis.
Claire (pseudonym) is a single mother from Edinburgh who struggled with debt after the premature birth of her son. She spent a lot of time in the hospital and her health and well-being were her main concern. Due to the stress of this situation, she was unable to manage her bills or work to earn money and the debts began to pile up.
Claire’s debt has had a significant impact on her mental health. She lived in fear of debt collectors knocking on the door and hid the letters in a drawer because she didn’t know how she could pay for them. She felt ashamed and embarrassed and for a long time she did not know where to turn.
Debt issues had such an impact on Claire’s mental health that she attempted suicide twice. Claire heard about Christians Against Poverty through her local food bank and once she met her debt coach she felt like a weight had been lifted and she was able to laugh again. She felt like CAP was her safe place and her friend became like a mother to her.
Claire was able to become debt free in December 2021, however, she still struggles with low income. She already has to travel far enough to shop for the cheapest items. She worries about how she will be able to keep up with rising costs.
She explained: “It’s amazing what things are costing right now, everything has gone up so much – food, electricity, clothes for my son. It all costs so much and right now I just don’t know how I’m going to be able to afford it all. I have worked hard to get my finances back on track, but there is not enough to pay for all these essential things I need for my son. I don’t want to be in debt anymore.
Background
The new website address is gov.scot/costoflivingsupport
The media campaign will run across TV, radio, outdoor and digital channels, encouraging people to visit the site for information on help and support available.
For the professional public, the Find business support the website will remain the destination for all publicly funded business support in Scotland and will also be linked from gov.scot/costoflivingsupport
Acting on the cost of living crisis
Program for the government 2022-23
CAP Scotland provides free, FCA-accredited help through its network of 26 Debt Centers across Scotland. To access their help, call 0800 328 0006 or visit capscotland.org.