Cost of Living
We have created this resource to help our customers to cut costs, make savings and get through the cost of living crisis. You can get local guidance and advice on:
- Money worries
- Food support
- Welfare funds
- Benefits advice
- Online services
Scottish Government has published their own Cost of Living guide for more help and advice. Visit their website here.
Citizens Advice Scotland has three online self-help tools, all aimed at providing people with key information and signposting to resources that will help improve their financial health. These tools provide critical support to people facing financial difficulty. They are:
- The Money Map – This tool signposts to all the best websites that help people access support to boost incomes, save money and cut the costs of daily living. www.moneymap.scot
- Council Tax Savings Tool – This tool assesses eligibility for council tax reductions, discounts and exemptions and signposts to where they can claim these savings. www.checkmycounciltax.scot
- Public Advice Site – the debt and money pages on the Citizens Advice Scotland website are an invaluable source of help and are updated regularly. www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/
Energy Companies - Hardship Funds
You can apply directly to the major energy companies for help with bills through their hardship funding initiatives.
Follow the links below to find out more.
- Individuals & Families Fund
- British Gas Energy Support Fund
Energy Fund Application
- Customer Support Fund
- Hardship Fund
- Hardship Programme
If you would like to speak to your Housing Officer please call 0131 317 7227 to make an appointment or arrange a call back.
Energy Advice Service
Housing Association Energy Advice Support Service
We know that managing your energy bills can be worrying and at times confusing. The Housing Association Energy Advice Support Service is here to help. We’ve partnered with Changeworks to deliver this service, they are Scotland’s leading environmental charity and experts in providing energy advice and support.
How will this new service help me?
The service aims to help you stay affordably warm at home and includes:
· Access to the Housing Association Energy Support Service online advice library. This contains lots of practical guides including videos and expert advice on common energy worries and questions. If you’re not online, or would prefer a physical copy, please call Changeworks for free, you’ll find their details below.
· Regular emails or letters over the coming months. They will include practical and timely advice such as tips on reducing energy costs during winter, getting the most out of your heating system and troubleshooting problems. They will also provide useful information on things like the latest energy supplier discount schemes.
· Access to telephone advice from Changeworks. If you have a question around your energy use or fuel bills, are looking for some further energy advice or just not found the information you were looking for, the advisors can help.
· Tailored one to one support if you have more complicated problems such as energy billing issues or debt and are looking to speak to someone, you can call Changeworks to get expert help from an advisor. They could even speak to your supplier on your behalf in certain cases or direct you to financial support.
How do I access the service?
The Housing Association Energy Support Service online advice library can be accessed here changeworksinfo.org/blackwoodhomesandcare or you can call Changeworks for a paper copy of the guides.
You can contact Changeworks on freephone 0800 870 8800 between 9am-5pm, Monday - Friday to request printed materials, or if you feel you need some additional support or a more detailed chat. You can also refer yourself to Changeworks for a call back from an advisor using this link: https://www.changeworks.org.uk/referral
It doesn’t cost anything to use the service so it’s worth having a look online to see how it could help you manage your energy at home.