Here’s all the cost of living support available to you in the north and north-east

By Lauren Robertson

October 31 2022, 5:00 pm

A public meeting on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis will be held on Saturday in Tillydrone. Image: Shutterstock.

People living in across the north and north-east are feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis more than ever before.

Fuel prices look to be rising again, supermarket receipts are climbing ever higher and energy bills have already forced some to choose between heating and eating.

With councils and community organisations fearing the worst for what this winter will bring, they have already put in place a number of support systems for their residents.

From warm spaces, where people can spend a few hours not worrying about turning their heating on at home, to helplines, grants and foodbanks, help is available to those in need.

Our warm banks map has details of the centres set up across the north and north-east, click here to find your nearest one.

Here is all the other support you can access in your local area:

Aberdeen

Helpline: Call the council’s dedicated helpline for free on 0800 0304 713. You can use this for welfare advice, emotional support and for advice on what to do if you are struggling to get food, prescriptions or pay bills.
Energy bills: If you are over the age of 68, living with a disability or in debt to your energy supplier, you could be eligible for a range of support with your energy bills. Find out more on the council website.
Foodbanks: If you are struggling to fill the cupboards, find your nearest foodbank or community pantry on our interactive map.

Money advice: Sign up to Aberdeen City Council’s money advice services here.
Benefits: Find out what benefits you could be eligible for here.
Free internet access: All public libraries in Aberdeen have computer and internet access. Find your nearest one here.
Sheltered housing: Apply for sheltered housing with the council here.
Family wellbeing hubs: There are three family wellbeing hubs run by Fit Like? in Aberdeen: Northfield, Torry and Tillydrone. They can help with money advice and emotional support.
School meals and clothing: If you receive benefits of any kind, your child may be eligible for free school meals and a uniform grant. Apply here.
Furniture: Aberdeen City Council runs a furniture leasing scheme that is available to all its tenants. Find out more here.
Cutting down energy bills: Go to Saving Energy Aberdeen for advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home. It believes more than 59% of Aberdeen could save money on their bills.

Aberdeenshire

Benefits: Find out if you are eligible for benefits through Aberdeenshire Council here.
Foodbanks: Use our interactive map to find your nearest foodbank or community pantry.
Energy advice: Scarf offers free energy saving advice to help people in the north-east lower their fuel bills and carbon emissions.

You could be eligible for help with your energy bills. Image: Jacob King/PA Wire

Money advice: Contact the council’s money advice team here.
School meals and clothing: Find out if your child attending an Aberdeenshire school is eligible for free school meals and a uniform grant here.
Education: The Aberdeenshire Educational Trust awards grants to individuals, schools and organisations to help with the cost of school trips, further education and funding for sports clubs and facilities. Find out more here.
Housing: You can find information on how to apply for council housing in Aberdeenshire here.
Looking for a job: The Aberdeenshire Employability Partnership aims to help those actively seeking employment. Find more practical assistance and advice here.
Free internet access: Some libraries in Aberdeenshire provide locals with free Internet access. Find your nearest one here.

Moray

Money advice: Money Advice Moray can help anyone in the region struggling with debt. You can contact them on 0300 1234563 and ask for money advice for free, confidential support.
Moray Baby Bank: Moray Baby Bank helps families who are struggling to pay for essentials for their babies. If you need help or can offer help, find out more here.
Benefits: For help with benefits or to find out what you are eligible for, contact the team on 0300 1234563 and ask for income maximisation.
Employment support: Moray Pathways can help you with education, training and employment. Find out more here.

Free school meals and uniform: Children in Moray are entitled to free school meals, but you can find out if you are eligible for a clothing grant here.
Foodbanks: Moray Food Plus can help those struggling to afford food if they are referred to the service. Find all the foodbanks near you using our interactive map.
Energy saving: Moray Council has created a list of tips you can use to make your home more energy efficient. Find it here.
Housing: Moray Council has a dedicated housing options team for anyone struggling to find somewhere to live. Find more information here.
Free internet access: Find out more about internet access and other facilities available in Moray here.

Highlands

Benefits: Highland Council’s welfare support team is on 0800 0901004 for anyone who needs help with their benefits or would like to find out what they are entitled to.
Foodbanks: If you are struggling to put food on the table, take a look at our interactive map to find out what support might be available near you.
Free internet access: Most libraries run by High Life Highland offer free internet access,l find your nearest one here.
Housing: Find out more about what housing support is available from Highland Council here.

Councils across the north and north-east want to help their communities. Image: DC Thomson

Western Isles

Foodbanks: You can find a list of foodbanks available across the Western Isles here.
Benefits: Find more information about what benefits you may be entitled to and get in touch with the team here.
Free internet access: Locals can access the internet for free at libraries in the Western Isles. Find your nearest library and a list of its facilities here.
Energy advice: Western Isles residents can lower their household energy costs by getting free advice from The Energy Advisory Service (TEAS). Find out more here.

Argyll & Bute

Financial support: The Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund offers financial support and wider confidential professional help to anyone suffering hardship. You can get in touch on 01700 502784 or via this website.

Your child could be eligible for free school meals.

Advice service: Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau is a local, independent charity which provides free, impartial and confidential advice and information. Contact them on 01546 605550 or here.
Money advice: You can get free advice on housing, benefits and fuel poverty by calling Bute Advice Centre on 01700 502784.
Foodbanks: You can find a list of foodbanks in Argyll & Bute here.
School grants: Children in P1-5 get free school meals but you can find more information on other available school grants here.

Orkney

Housing: Find all the housing support available to those living in Orkney here or call the housing advice service on 01856 873535.
Energy bills: Thaw Orkney supports households in Orkney struggling to pay their energy bills. Find out more here.

Energy efficiency: The council is working with Warmworks to help homes become warmer and more energy efficient. Find out more here.
School meals and uniform: You might be eligible for free school meals and uniform grants, find out here.
Foodbanks: Use our interactive map to find your nearest foodbank.
Free internet access: Locals can get free internet access at either of Orkney’s libraries.

Shetland

Helpline: For help with benefits, financial support or just a friendly ear to listen, call the council’s helpline on 0800 0308780.
Advice: For help and advice on day-to-day issues, call Shetland’s Citizens Advice Bureau on 01595 694696.
School meals and clothing: Find out if you are eligible for free school meals or clothing grants here.
Looking for work: Shetland’s employability pathway helps people from 16 to retirement age struggling to find work. Find out more here.

You can access the internet for free at your local library.

Energy efficiency: You could be eligible for support in making your home more energy efficient. Find out more here.
Foodbanks: Shetland Foodbank helps locals who are struggling with rising food costs. Find out more about how it can support you here.
Winter activities: Shetland islands Council wants to ensure there are enough free activities on offer throughout the winter months. Find out more here about implementing this in your community here.

National support

Benefits: Find an online benefits calculator to find out what you could be eligible for here.
Cost of living payment: All those eligible will be given a cost of living payment automatically, you do not need to apply.
Universal credit: You can find out more about and apply for universal credit here.
Energy price guarantee: Under the energy price guarantee – which limits the unit price paid for electricity and gas – the annual bill for a typical household will be held to around £2,500 for the next two years. Find out more here.
Citizens Advice: Citizens Advice can help you get support in a number of areas. Find out more about its services here.

A number of helplines have been set up to give people advice through the crisis.

Energy bills support scheme: This provides a £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households to help with their energy bills over winter. Find out more here.
Childcare: Find out if you are eligible for support with childcare costs here.
Free period products: Find out where you can get free period products across the north and north-east here.
Scottish Welfare Fund: You can apply for a crisis grant or community care grant by selecting your local council area here.
National Entitlement Card: A National Entitlement Card can give you access to free buses and other public services. Eligible groups can apply for one here.
Pet support: Scottish SPCA has a Pet Aid service that helps owners who are struggling to provide them with essentials. Find out more here.