How our Financial Inclusion team can help
Many households are worried about their finances, with lots of people now struggling to meet day to day living costs amidst rising food prices, fuel costs and more.
Financial support is available, but there's a lot of information around and it can be difficult to work out what it means for you. Our Financial Inclusion team can help. The team offers free, impartial and confidential advice and support to all local residents.
Financial Inclusion Officers can:
- Carry out a benefit health check to let you know what benefits or financial support you may be entitled to and help you apply
- Check you are getting the right amount of benefit
- Provide help if you have been sanctioned by The Department for Work & Pensions
- Help you to appeal a decision if you’ve recently had a benefit claim turned down
- Provide advice about flexible options available if you’re claiming Universal Credit (UC), such as switching to twice-monthly payments or having your rent paid direct to your landlord
- Provide help if you’re regularly using a foodbank or relying on crisis grants
- Offer a Macmillan cancer support service to support the financial needs of East Lothian residents and their families affected by cancer
- Provide employment advice and practical support to help people understand the implications on their household income of taking up employment or training opportunities
If you have any questions or concerns, just get in touch with our Financial Inclusion team and we'll do what we can to help.
What might you be entitled to
If you want to check what you may be entitled to, then try out our online benefits calculator.
Remember, this will only be an estimate as you will need to apply and any application will be subject to the relevant eligibility criteria.
Important Information
With the cost of living increasing significantly, many people are finding it difficult to cover essential daily living costs.
A range of measures are available to help people boost their income, so don't assume you're receiving everything you're entitled to, always check, and if you're still struggling or in doubt, get in touch.
To find out more, visit www.eastlothian.gov.uk/cost-of-living-support