Support for people affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find out what to do if you're affected by coronavirus in Scotland.
You can find daily updates about coronavirus on gov.scot.
Protection levels
There are 5 protection levels across different areas of Scotland. You can check:
These measures aim to control the rise of coronavirus cases and help keep people safe.Coronavirus symptoms and self-isolating
Check NHS Inform if you:
- have coronavirus symptoms
- think you need a test
- need health advice
- coronavirus symptoms
- been exposed to the virus, live with someone who has symptoms or been exposed to it
- been advised to self-isolate as part of Test and Protect or live with someone who has
Looking after yourself and others
find out what support is available if you've been shielding during coronavirus
find out how you can help keep yourself safe after shielding.
find out about staying at home and away from others on gov.scot
find advice on sharing parenting with someone who lives in a different home on Parent Club
find the latest information about face coverings on gov.scot
Find information and guidance to help check the coronavirus risk in your workplace on gov.scot.
Find guidance on pregnancy and coronavirus from NHS inform.
Find an advocate. An advocate is someone who acts as an independent spokesperson for 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 phone 0800 111 4000 (textphone: 0800 111 4114) if you need help with things like:
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
This can also include other things not on this list.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. It's free to phone.
It's for people who need essential help and cannot get it from family, friends or local groups in your community.
When you call, you'll be put through to speak to someone at your local council. They'll be able tell you the kind of help you'll be able to get.
find a list of organisations who can give you help and advice on the Ready Scotland website
Find out about the extra Coronavirus Carer's Allowance Supplement.
Food, medicine and other supplies
If you cannot afford food, find out if you can get:
Universal Credit on GOV.UK
Best Start Grant or Best Start Foods
support from a food bank near you on Citizens Advice Scotland
if you cannot pick up your own prescriptions, ask your pharmacy if they can deliver them to your home
see a list of supermarkets that offer gift card schemes to help friends or family members do your shopping for you on gov.scot
see a list of shops that can deliver boxes of pre-chosen food and essentials to your home on gov.scot
You can phone 0800 111 4000 (textphone: 0800 111 4114) if you need help with things like:
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
This can also include other things not on this list.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. It's free to phone.
It's for people who need essential help and cannot get it from family, friends or local groups in your community.
When you call, you'll be put through to speak to someone at your local council. They'll be able tell you the kind of help you'll be able to get.
Mental wellbeing
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
if you're already receiving help from your GP, phone your GP or care team first - or if you're unable to talk to them, call 111
Domestic abuse and child protection
You can leave your home during coronavirus to escape or keep yourself safe from domestic abuse.
call Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline. Phone: 0800 027 1234 (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).
Housing, evictions and homelessness
paying your rent from Shelter Scotland
mortgage arrears and breaks from Shelter Scotland
claiming benefits from Shelter Scotland
Tenants
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
Landlords
get a loan to help with lost rental income from Scottish Government
guidance for private landlords and letting agents on gov.scot
guidance for social landlords on gov.scot
find out about moving home and how to stay safe from Shelter Scotland
read the Scottish Government guidance for moving home during coronavirus on gov.scot
Guidance about moving to and from your student accommodation.
Advice and support if you're homeless or worried about becoming homeless.
Work, unemployment and sick leave
find out if you should be going to work on GOV.UK
find out about testing if you're a key worker 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)
Find information and guidance to help check the coronavirus risk in your workplace on gov.scot.
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
find business help and support on the Find Business Support website
use the GOV.UK business support finder to see what financial support is available for you and your business
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 on GOV.UK
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 out if you can get help from the Scottish Welfare Fund.
Business advice and support
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
see a timeline of key dates for businesses in Scotland on Find Business Support. The dates in the future are indicative, which means they could still change.
use the GOV.UK business support finder to see what financial support is available for you and your business
information on new rates reliefs and grants to help owners of non-domestic properties, including businesses, during coronavirus
Births, deaths and family
Children and schools
Find out how to support your child's learning during coronavirus on Parent Club.
You can continue informal childcare in the home. For example, grandparents can look after grandchildren.
Find more guidance on seeing friends and family on gov.scot.
