Older or Disabled People
Rising costs are impacting older people, disabled people and those who care for them. Find out more about the help you're entitled to.
Emergency Energy Payment Assistant Programme
This programme offers help to older and vulnerable people within the region who may be struggling to cover the costs of their home energy payments at this challenging time.
Find out more and see if you're eligible >>
Free warm winter clothes
There are free warm winter clothes events taking place across the region this winter season.
Find out where you can access free warm winter clothes >>
Scottish Welfare Fund Team
The Scottish Welfare Fund Team provides a safety net for vulnerable individuals and families on a low income within our communities. The fund is divided into two areas:
- Crisis Grants - immediate funds for essential living costs
- Community Care Grants - provision of household goods to help set up home or maintain a home
Find out more and apply online >>
Students
Are you a student at Dumfries and Galloway College? Did you know they run a free breakfast club and have a student food bank and an emergency student support fund?
Find out more information on the support available >>
Winter Warmth for Older People Project
Dumfries and Galloway Council is supporting The Hub Dumfries to help it deliver their Winter Warmth for Older People Project.
This fund can provide free briquettes and kindling during the winter months to older households in fuel poverty who rely on open fires/multi-fuel burner.
To be eligible you need to be:
- Over 60 years of age
- Not in paid work and have no other household member in paid work
- In receipt of a means-tested benefit or have extenuating circumstances, e.g., long-term health conditions
DGLocator
Organisations and charities across Dumfries and Galloway have services that can help people with the cost-of-living increases . Download the free DGLocator mobile app or access its website to easily search services available.
Apple download: https://apple.co/3BbTNs8
Android download: https://bit.ly/dglocatorandroid
or visit: https://dglocator.org.uk/
National support
Adult Disability Payment
Adult Disability Payment is extra money to help you if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.
Check if you can apply for Adult Disability Payment >>
Age Scotland Helpline
Get free, confidential advice over the phone (0800 12 44 222) for older people, their carers and families in Scotland.
Read more about the Age Scotland Helpline >>
Carer's Allowance Supplement
Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment to help carers in Scotland who get Carer's Allowance.
Check if you can get Carer's Allowance Supplement >>
Claim Marriage Allowance
Marriage Allowance allows you to transfer 10% (£1,260) of your personal tax allowance to your husband, wife or civil partner if you earn less than the personal tax allowance, which is usually £12,570.
Find out about Marriage Allowance >>
Disability Cost of Living Payment
From 20 September, six million people who are paid certain disability benefits will receive an automatic one-off £150 payment. The payment will help disabled people with the rising cost of living acknowledging the higher disability-related costs they often face, such as care and mobility needs.
This is in addition to the £650 Cost of Living Payment for disabled people who also receive means-tested benefits.
Check if you're eligible for the Disability Cost of Living Payment >>
Disabled persons free bus pass
If you or your child (five-plus) has a disability you may be able to get a free bus pass.
Check if you can get a disabled persons bus pass >>
Extra money available for carers
You could get £69.70 a week if you care for someone for at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
Check if you're eligible for the Carer's Allowance >>
Independent Living Transition Fund
If you're aged 15 to 25 with a disability you could apply to the fund for money to take part in new activities or learn a skill.
Find out more about the Independent Living Fund >>
Pension Credit for those on low income
You could get extra money to help with your living costs if you're over State Pension age and on a low income: even if you have savings or own your own home.
Check if you're eligible for Pension Credit >>
Pensioner Cost of Living Payment
During the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.
This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.
Check if you're eligible for the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment >>
Older person's free bus pass
If you're aged 60 or over and are a resident in Scotland then you will be eligible for a free bus pass.
Apply for an older persons bus pass >>
Warmer Homes Scotland funding
If you're a homeowner or a private tenant and meet certain criteria you could qualify for funding to help reduce your energy bills.
Check if you qualify for Warmer Homes Scotland funding >>
Winter fuel payments
In the winter months pensioners can get between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills.
This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.
Check if you're eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment >>
Young Carer Grant
The grant is a yearly payment of £326.65 for young carers in Scotland. You need to be 16, 17 or 18 years old to get it.