What financial support is available for me?
If you’ve been financially affected by coronavirus there is help available. If you’re eligible, you should apply for Statutory Sick Pay, Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance. The UK Government has introduced some temporary changes to make this process easier. Find out more about help you can access here. Don’t miss out on money that you and your family are entitled to.
If you’ve been told to self-isolate by Test and Protect, you may be eligible for a Self-Isolation Support Grant. On 7 December the rules for claiming this grant changed so that:
- you can now claim if you are unable to work because one of your children has to self-isolate from school or nursery
- you can now claim even if you don’t receive universal credit, but your local authority believes you would receive it if you applied for it.
I can't register the birth of my child – can I still claim child benefit?
Birth registration has now resumed in Scotland, after being put on hold due to coronavirus. You can find out more about this on the Registers of Scotland website. However, you can still claim Child Benefit without having to register your child’s birth – simply add a note along with the claim to state you haven’t been able to register your baby’s birth yet. Here’s some wording you can use:
Please note that my child’s birth has not yet been registered due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. I am aware I can still claim so my child benefit form is attached.
You can find information on claiming child benefit during the coronavirus outbreak on the UK Government website.
What other support is available for me?
Citizens Advice Scotland has information about your rights if you're unable to go to work
Money Talk Team, from the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland, can help you see what you might be entitled to, and offer you advice to help make your money go further. You can call the team on 0800 085 7145 or visit the Money Talk Team website for more information or to chat to an adviser.
Advice Direct Scotland are continuing to provide free, confidential advice to everyone in Scotland regardless of age, background or circumstance. They are helping people find out what rights they have, and how they can exercise them. You can call their helpline on 0808 800 9060 or visit the Advice Direct Scotland website.
Consumeradvice.scot has prepared advice and information for those who have been affected by coronavirus. Call their helpline on 0808 164 6000 or visit the Consumer Advice Scot website. They can also be contacted via email, webchat, and Facebook.
One Parent Families are an organisation dedicated to enabling single parent families to reach their full potential. They will continue to provide support in local areas through phone calls, texts and local Facebook groups.
StepChange provide free debt advice in Scotland. You can use their online debt advice tool, their webchat facility or call their free helpline on 0800 138 1111.
National Debtline have created a fact sheet for coronavirus which provides advice and information that can help. They have a webchat facility and you can also call them on 0808 808 4000.
Ready Scotland have listed organisations who may be able to offer help and advice at this time. Visit readyscotland.org.
Family Support Directory
Living with the pandemic has put different strains on families who may previously have not needed support. Whether this is around mental health for adults or children, balancing working from home with childcare, financial worries, support for children’s learning or wellbeing, our Family Support Directory can provide you with information on a range of services available to help you and your family
Family Support Directory
Find more support for your finances from trusted organisations in our Family Support Directory.