Support for people affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Find out what to do if you've been asked to stay at home for 12 weeks (shielding)

• Find out what to do if you need to stay at home because you have coronavirus symptoms (self-isolation) on NHS inform

Find out about staying at home and away from others on gov.scot.

Find guidance on pregnancy and coronavirus from NHS inform.

Find an independent advocate. An independent advocate is someone who acts as a spokesperson for vulnerable people who find it hard to speak up for themselves. This can include older people and people with:

• autism

• dementia

• mental health conditions

• learning disabilities

• physical disabilities

An independent advocate can support you if you're dealing with care, housing or health services. They can help you:

• say what you want

• have a say in what's happening to you

• get the information you need

• stand up for your rights

You can call a free coronavirus helpline for advice if you need essential help and are unable to get the help you need from family, friends or local groups in your community.

The free helpline number is 0800 111 4000, or you can contact the helpline via a textphone on 0800 111 4114. The helpline is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

You can call the helpline if you're:

• over 70

• a disabled person

• getting support from mental health services

• pregnant

• getting yearly flu jabs for health reasons

• having trouble getting online

• shielding yourself at home

• at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus because of your health

When you call, you'll be put through to speak to someone at your local council. They'll be able to advise on what types of help you'll be able to get. This might include:

• food, if you're not able to get the day-to-day food you need

• medication, if you're not able to pick up the prescriptions you need

• access to local social work services

• emotional support

• contact with local volunteer groups

If you cannot afford food, find out if you can get:

• Universal Credit on GOV.UK

• a Crisis Grant

• Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods

• free school meals for your child while schools are closed

• support from a food bank near you on Citizens Advice Scotland

• free grocery packs if you're shielding at home on gov.scot

• Find out about free grocery packs or priority supermarket deliveries if you're shielding at home on gov.scot

• Find out what help you can get from your community from the ReadyScotland website

• If you're struggling to access food and are in a high-risk group, call the National Helpline for local support on 0800 111 4000

• NHS Inform - Scotland's national health information service. Provides information on how to look after your mental wellbeing

• Samaritans - phone: 116 123 (24 hours a day 365 days a year). Samaritans provides phone and email support for anyone who's feeling low, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide

• Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) - Scotland's national mental health charity. Provides information, links and resources about how to protect your mental health

• Young Scot - Scotland's national youth information and citizenship charity for 11-26 year olds. Provides information and links about how to look after your mental health

• see me Scotland - Scotland's national campaign to stop the stigma of mental ill health. Provides links to resources and support organisations

• Breathing Space - phone: 0800 83 85 87 (Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 2am and Friday 6pm-Monday 6am), Breathing Space is a free, confidential, helpline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety

Get information about supporting your children's mental wellbeing during coronavirus on GOV.UK.

• Call Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline. Phone: 0800 027 123 (every day, 24 hours)

• Get domestic abuse advice and support from Scottish Women's Aid

• Get domestic abuse advice and support from Safer Scotland

• Find more domestic abuse advice and support for people in Scotland

• Find more domestic abuse and coronavirus advice and support on GOV.UK

Get advice and support from Rape Crisis Scotland. Phone: 08088 01 03 02 (every day, 6pm to midnight).

Get more information about child protection from Police Scotland.

• Paying your rent from Shelter Scotland

• Mortgage arrears and breaks from Shelter Scotland

• Claiming benefits from Shelter Scotland

• Your tenancy rights if you have a private landlord

• Your tenancy rights if you have a social landlord

• What you should do if you're being evicted from Citizens Advice Scotland

Information about moving home and how to stay safe from Shelter Scotland.

Advice and support if you're homeless or worried about becoming homeless.

• Find out if you should be going to work on GOV.UK

• Find out if you're a key worker on GOV.UK

• school and early learning closures guidance for key workers and vulnerable children on gov.scot

• What to do if you're worried about going to work because of coronavirus on Citizens Advice Scotland

• Your workplace rights from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)

• Information on pay during coronavirus from the Scottish Trades Union Congress

• Find out about applying to the Self-employment Income Support Scheme on GOV.UK

• Information on getting help with tax on GOV.UK

• Apply for Universal Credit on GOV.UK

• Get help with benefits

• Find business help and support on the Find Business Support website

• Information on the Self-employment Income Support Scheme from the Scottish Trades Union Congress

• What to do if you've lost your job on GOV.UK

• What you can do if you're laid-offon GOV.UK

• Your rights if you've been dismissed on GOV.UK

• What to do if you've been furloughed on GOV.UK

• Apply for Universal Credit on GOV.UK

• What you can do if your employer has told you not to work from Citizens Advice Scotland

• Information on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from the Scottish Trades Union Congress

• Check if you're eligible for Statutory Sick Pay on GOV.UK

• Find out what to do if you're employed but cannot work on GOV.UK

• Find information on getting Statutory Sick Pay if you're self-isolating from Money Advice Scotland

• Find Business Support - offers the latest coronavirus business advice for Scotland. This includes information on Scottish and UK government announcements, guidance for employers, and advice on finding finance and paying taxes

• Information on new rates reliefs and grants to help owners of non-domestic properties, including businesses, during coronavirus