If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to social security benefits to help make ends meet
How can the Advice Shop help you ?
Benefit checks
Help to fill in claim forms
Assistance to appeal unfair decisions and representation at your Tribunal
Help to resolve problems with your benefits and tax credits
What could you claim ?
Low income benefits can help top up your income if you low earnings or are out of work. These include:
Universal Credit
New Style Jobseeker Allowance (dependent on National Insurance contributions)
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (dependent on National Insurance contributions)
Housing Benefit (restricted to certain tenancies only)
Council Tax Reduction
These benefits maybe available to you if you are unfit for work or have health problems or disabilities which affect your day to day life.
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (dependent on National Insurance contributions)
Adult Disability Payment
Attendance Allowance
You may be entitled to some of these benefits if you are responsible for a child or young person:
Statutory Maternity Pay
Maternity Allowance
Child Benefit
Universal Credit or Tax Credits
Child Disability Payment
Carers Allowance
Social Security Scotland's family payments - Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment, Best Start Grant School Age Payment and Best Start Foods and the Scottish Child Payment.
If you would like more information, or for an Adviser to contact you, please complete our online form at Financial Support for Families
There are a range of benefits available to people who have reached a qualifying age. This may entitle you to extra income, as the minimum amount you need to live on will increase after you reach qualifying age.
State Pension
Pension Credit
Attendance Allowance
The Advice Shop can provide you with a benefit check to see if you are entitled to any of these benefits or tax credits. You would need to provide the following information:-
Details to everyone who lives in your household
Income details for you and your partner, if you have one
Any child care costs you need to pay
Your total rent charge either weekly or monthly
If you have a mortgage, the total amount outstanding
Your Council Tax Band
Total savings or Capital you have - this includes any property or land you own, other than the home you live in
If you would like more information, or for an Adviser to contact you, please complete ourOnline Form
Citizen Advice Scotland's Help to Claim Universal Credit
Citizen Advice Scotland have launched a Video Relay Service (VRS) service for BSL users to call their team if you would like their support for you to claim Universal Credit benefit.
The Advice Shop can help you to complete a disability benefit claim form such Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Attendance Allowance.
The Pensioner Income Maximisation Service (PIMS) offers advice and support for anyone living in West Lothian over the age of 60 or approaching State Pension Age. The team also provide advice and assistance for anyone affected by a long-term health condition.
