Support with Fuel Bills
- There are a number of services who can help you access the Fuel Bank Foundation, which provides vouchers to pay for heating costs in an emergency - if you have a support worker they can help you apply for this support
- If you don’t have a support worker, Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau will advise and help you apply
- Crisis Grants to cover the cost of an emergency
- Information on the UK Government and Scottish Government Cost of Living Payments
- Warm Homes Discount Scheme
- Winter Heating Payment is a £50 automatic payment to people on low income benefits in Scotland: Winter Heating Payment - mygov.scot
- For more comprehensive information on help with energy bills, see 'Help with Energy Bills' on mygov.scot.
Energy Advice
- Impartial energy efficiency advice to help save on bills and stay warm at home:
- If you need advice and support with your energy bills: Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau
- Information and advice on the Area Based Scheme (ABS) energy efficiency grant and loan scheme and other sources of funding: Shetland Islands Council Energy Efficiency
Benefits and Income
- For benefits advice, benefit checks and support with applications and appeals: Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau
- Free School Meals/Clothing Grants
- Crisis Grants to cover the cost of an emergency
- Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods can all help you and your family
- There may be other benefits you're entitled to from Scottish Security Scotland
- Shetland's Employability Pathway supports people aged between 16 to retirement age to tackle barriers to employment, further education or volunteering opportunities
Debt & Money
- Information to support the management of money and budgeting
- For money advice and support to tackle debt problems: Shetland Citizens Advice Bureau
- Crisis Grants to cover the cost of an emergency
- If you’re struggling to maintain your home or are worried about homelessness – Housing Support Services
Health & Wellbeing
- NHS Inform has information and advice about healthy living, and what you can do to look after your mental and physical wellbeing.
- Local 1-1 support for mental health and wellbeing: Mind Your Head
- Befriending
- Confidential phone line for anyone feeling low, anxious or depressed: Breathing Space
- Other useful websites include:
- If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will qualify for the Leisure Centres’ Access to Leisure Scheme; this provides access to many of the facilities for only £1 a session
- The British Red Cross support people locally too
Emergency Food Needs
- If you need an emergency food parcel, ask Shetland CAB or a support worker (if you have one) to make a referral on your behalf to Shetland Food Bank
Support for Older Residents
- For free bus travel: Eligibility and Conditions for the 60+ or Disabled Traveller
- If you have health problems which impact on your daily life you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance - Citizens Advice Scotland
- Age UK has useful information on all supports, including Energy and Benefits
- Information on UK Government and Scottish Government Cost of Living Payments for pensioners
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payent (previously Winter Fuel Payment) is available to pensioners on Pension Credit, for further information contact the CAB. For more comprehensive information, see 'Help with Energy Bills' on mygov.scot.
Support for Children & Families
- These payments can help you and your family
- Free School Meals/Clothing Grants
- EMA, Bursaries and Financial Support
- Information to support the management of money and budgeting: Money map | Citizens Advice Scotland
- For free bus travel: Young Persons' Free Bus Travel Scheme | Transport Scotland
- For general support in making sure your household is receiving all the financial support and benefits you’re entitled to, speaking to services on your behalf, practical help and a friendly ear contact the Anchor for Families Team
- In December, 2024, Children's Services will make a payment of £120 per child, to all families with an approved Clothing Grant / Free School Meals application for the 2024/25 academic year. This has been approved by Shetland Islands Council as part of the Island Cost Crisis Funding for 2024/25. There will also be a similar payment in March 2025 (amount to be confirmed). Those with an existing Clothing Grant / Free School Meal award will automatically receive payment into their bank accounts on Friday 13th December 2024. There is no need to submit a new application in order to receive the payment. Find more information here: EMA, Bursaries and Financial Support – Shetland Islands Council
Support for People with Disabilities
- For information on Child Disability Payment: Child Disability Payment - mygov.scot
- For information on Adult Disability Payment: Adult Disability Payment - mygov.scot
- You may be entitled to support from Scottish Security Scotland
- If you are over 65 and have health problems which impact on your daily life you may be entitled to Attendance Allowance - Citizens Advice Scotland
- Local Support is available: Ability Shetland
- For free bus travel: Eligibility and Conditions for the 60+ or Disabled Traveller (transport.gov.scot)
- Information on UK Government and Scottish Government Cost of Living Payments for pensioners: Cost of Living Payment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Support for Carers
- For information on Carers Allowance: Carer's Allowance: How it works - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- For information on Young Carer Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement Benefits and grants - mygov.scot
- Local Support is available: Voluntary Action Shetland | Virtual Carers Centre (shetlandcarers.org)
A summary of help during the cost of living crisis is also available from the Scottish Government's cost of living website