Help and Information

The cost of living crisis will affect us all. We are only too aware that the impact for many of our tenants may be higher. We have compiled a list of links to external resources which may help you with things like money-saving advice, food bank and energy advice. We will now be updating it to include Cost of Living advice and signposting to other agencies who may be able to assist.

If you are experiencing problems which may affect your tenancy we encourage you to speak to your Housing Officer or Property Services Officer by calling 01224 625822 they will be able to give advice and assistance by phone. If you are experiencing any difficulty in paying your rent or you need advice please call them.

The Association want to make sure you have access to the help you need. We have developed a list of local resources on our website which you may find helpful by clicking here. Information on local services and Castlehill information leaflets will be available below.

Local Services and Castlehill Information Leaflets

Aberdeen City Council has an emergency telephone helpline 0800 0304 713 staffed from 8 am-6 pm Monday to Friday, which will provide welfare and financial advice to those unable to obtain help from their existing support networks. The line will also be able to help with scenarios such as what to do if you are struggling to get food or pay bills. Similar advice and information are also available on issues such as housing, health, food, heating, finance and schools on the coronavirus page of the Council’s website, which is regularly updated.

Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau – telephone advice on their Advice line: 01224 569750 their website is accessible here.

Aberdeenshire Citizens Advice Bureau – 0800 028 1032

Aberdeen City Council’s Financial Inclusion Team can be contacted about changes to Benefits and services available in the Aberdeen area.

Benefits contact list

Aberdeen City Council has a useful leaflet concerning benefits and grants low-income families with children in education can access.

Families across Scotland may be able to receive Best Start Grant payments to help ease the financial pressure many may be experiencing. Please check the information available to see if you qualify. The Best Start Grant payments give financial support to families on lower incomes during the key stages in a child’s life.

Aberdeenshire council money and benefits advice

There are many useful websites which can be accessed for cost-of-living advice. We will try to list as many of them below:

Benefits and grants info
Energy Advice Scotland
Entitled to – helps work out what you may be entitled to
Martin Lewis – money-saving expert advice
Money and pensions service
Money Helper – living on a squeezed income
National Entitlement card info
reporting phishing scams
Royal Voluntary Service information booklet has lots of useful advice
Turn to us – site has a useful benefit calculator
Useful local numbers
Worrying about money? – Aberdeenshire

The DWP have indicated people making new online claims for Universal Credit, do not have to call the department as part of the process. The frontline team will call them if they have any questions regarding the information given. Measures to protect people from fraud have been put in place to safeguard the new process. Remember the DWP will never ask you for your bank details over the phone and people should never give out personal information unless they are sure it is DWP calling.

Numbers for those with questions about benefits are here

Aberdeen City Council’s Financial Inclusion Team produce a Bulletin to keep readers updated about changes to Benefits and services available to them in the Aberdeen area.

Information regarding DWP provision via the government website

The tax credits calculator may be a useful tool to help calculate benefit amounts.

Pension Credit can now be claimed online https://www.gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim

You can use the online service if: you have already claimed your State Pension, and
there are no children or young people included in your claim. Claims by phone or post are still accepted.

Please check the government websites to keep updated Benefits are available throughout this ever-changing situation.

Aberdeen City bin collections – please check here for changes to service

Aberdeenshire Council – please check here for changes to service

We are trying to keep up to date with other third-sector providers as we are aware that many of our tenants and applicants rely on the help they offer.

Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau – telephone advice on their Advice line: 01224 569750 their website is accessible here.

Aberdeenshire Citizens Advice Bureau – 0800 028 1032

Aberdeen Health and Social Care partnership have this information sheet for those experiencing drug and alcohol issues.

Alcohol and Drugs Action have a new free helpline number 0333 344 8355 which will work in tandem with their current 01224 594700 number.

Alzheimer Scotland – has increased the level of support available through its Freephone Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000. This line provides information, signposting and emotional support to people living with dementia, their families, friends and professionals. They have a toolkit available here.

AVOC information updates – has gathered a comprehensive list of information available throughout the North East.

Befriending network – information on Befriending is available here

Care at home – if you look after someone, need care or are planning for future care needs help and advice is available here.

Dogs Trust – Freedom Project, dog fostering service for people fleeing domestic abuse, remains open for new referrals. To make a referral, or if you have any questions, please call freephone 0808 169 4315. Our office hours remain Monday – Friday, 9 am-5 pm.

Foodbanks – various foodbanks are operating in the Northeast. We have listed some with links to their websites, which should have up-to-minute information about hours and supplies.

Grampian Credit Union – has fast track loans available for emergencies. Further information is available on their site.

NorthEast sensory services – click here for further help and updates.

Penumbra is offering a first response email and telephone services to people who are struggling to cope and it is impacting on their mental health illness or wellbeing. If there is no answer, please leave your name and number and a trained counsellor will get back to you.

Aberdeen: 0800 234 3695
Email: Aberdeen1stresponse@penumbra.co.uk
Aberdeenshire: 0800 1357950
Email: aberdeenshire1stresponse@penumbra.co.uk

Royal Voluntary Service in Aberdeen continues to support older people. Services include: Telephone Support – volunteers can offer minimum twice weekly friendly telephone calls to an older person. Highlight other ways to can help and/or refer to other organisations; Shopping – volunteers can help with food shopping. Transport – to essential medical appointments only. To refer someone please contact aberdeensupport@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk.

Self Employed hardship fund – if you have fallen through the cracks in the various measures set out by the chancellor to help through the pandemic you may be eligible for the newly self-employed hardship fund. This fund is applied via the local authority and if eligible may give applicants a one-off payment of £2000 to help.