If financial crisis is affecting your mental health please scroll down for information on where you can find support.
Access to a Financial Welfare Advisor
In partnership with NHS Lothian charity, we have arranged for a Financial Welfare Advisor to be available to offer some dedicated support and advice for any staff member in NHS Lothian who may be struggling with current cost of living issues.
They will be able to provide advice and benefits checks, as well as helping you make sure you have access to any applicable grants. There are a wide range of benefits available, not just for those out of work, so it is always worth checking what you are entitled to. Even if you are not entitled to anything the advisor can help you with budgeting.
To access this service, please call the dedicated NHS Lothian Staff line on 01506 445 240, or email loth.stjohnswelfareadvice@nhs.scot. Please include contact details and a suitable time for an adviser to call or email you back.
The service is being operated by West Lothian Citizens Advice Bureau and is available to all staff, for an initial 8-week period as we go through a challenging winter. If there is no one available to take your call, then please leave a voice mail and a member of their team will get back to you as soon as possible.
If you have any queries about contacting this service directly, please email Staffhealth@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk and our Work Well Specialist Lead will be able to respond.
If you need urgent help
with money, food or fuel your local council might be able to help. Each local council has their own service with different rules. The help they offer could include:
- loans or grants
- food vouchers
- fuel vouchers
- recycled clothes or household items
You need to contact your local council to find out what support they can offer.
Food Banks
The Trussell Trust organises a network of food banks all over the country. Food packs containing three days supply of non-perishable, nutritionally balance, foods are given to people in need. Care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, Citizens Advice Bureau and police identify people in crisis and issue them with a food bank voucher. Food banks partner with a wide range of care professionals who are best placed to assess need. For more info go to http://www.trusselltrust.org
Free Food without a referral. A list of local drop-in services for people who are in crisis and includes information on Soul Food, Social Bite, The Breakfast Bothy (a Carlowrie Castle project).
Can’t pay your energy bill
If you cannot afford to pay your energy bills talk to your energy supplier as soon as possible. They’ll work with you to agree a payment plan based on what you can afford. They can also give you advice on how to use less energy. They might also have funds or grants you can apply for. See also energy specific section. Find out more at https://www.mygov.scot/cannot-afford-energy-bills
If you are in rent arrears
Your landlord can evict you if you fall behind with your rent. You could lose your home. Get help as soon as possible. Talk to your landlord about your rent arrears, and how much you can afford to pay back. They’re likely to be more sympathetic if they know you’re trying to resolve the matter. Find out more about the help available if you are in rent arrears https://www.mygov.scot/rent-arrears
If your home is danger of being repossessed
If you’re at risk of having your home repossessed, the Home Owners’ Support Fund may be able to help you. Go to https://www.mygov.scot/home-owners-support-fund
Shelter Scotland offers housing advice to everyone whether you’re homeless or you own your home
The Scottish Welfare fund can provide a Community Care Grant or Crisis Grant to help with an unexpected emergency like a fire or flood, losing your money or your job Neither grant has to be paid back. Each case is considered on its own merit. You apply through your local council. Priority is given to people who have an immediate need and are vulnerable due to old age, ill health or another reason and who face significant adverse consequences if
You won’t qualify for a grant if you have
- already applied for the same item in the last 28 days, unless your circumstances have changed
- made a claim for a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit and it’s delayed. You can apply for a Short-term Advance instead.
If you get certain benefits you could get an interest free loan to pay for things like a washing machine, advance rent or moving house from a Budgeting Loan.
Mental Health
We know that having money worries impacts on anyone’s mental health. Nationally, Mind offers information and support to look after your own mental health or helping support someone else who is experiencing mental health difficulties. Locally, Wellbeing Lothian has links and resources to help you better manage your wellbeing and mental health. The Wellbeing Lothian website brings together a wide range of self-help guides, video and audio clips on topics ranging from diet and sleep to managing stress and anxiety. It also offers online courses such as computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. It has been designed by an expert team of NHS Lothian psychologists and practitioners. It aims to help you navigate the wide range of online self-help advice by providing a hub of trusted information, based on what is known to be effective.
