The Scottish Government has announced an investment of up to £300,000 will help support money and welfare advice services in some of Scotland’s most remote locations. From the autumn, GP practices in 20 rural and 10 island communities will be able to refer patients directly to an in-house welfare rights officer for advice on increasing income, social security eligibility, debt resolution, housing and employability issues.
They will build on the work already being undertaken at nearly 150 GP practices in the most deprived areas of the country as part of the Welfare Advice and Health Partnerships programme. It is hosted by the Improvement Service, to support the development of money and welfare advice and health partnerships within healthcare settings.
Advice is provided by a money and welfare advice worker within the practice and they typically have one or more sessions each week. New participating surgeries will be identified from areas where the cost of living is already disproportionately high and people are likely to be more heavily impacted by the current crisis.
Speaking on a visit to the Forge Medical Practice in Glasgow, which has offered the service since 2021, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The cost of living crisis is on everyone’s mind right now and we know the impact that can have on people’s mental and physical health, particularly those who are struggling the most to make ends meet.
“Dedicated money and welfare advice in the same location where people are already receiving mental and physical health support is about providing people with more convenient access to the help they need, whilst also reaching those who do not engage with traditional advice services.”
The First Minister also emphasised that the Scottish Government is “committed to mitigating the impact of increased costs” and this action is in addition to the almost £3 billion already allocated this year by Ministers to help households cope with the pressures so many are facing.
Family benefits, free school meals and concessionary travel are part of support helping households to mitigate the increased cost of living.
Scottish Government cost of living funding 2022/23
Funding includes:
- £294.4 million for Scottish Child Payment and other family benefits, including Best Start Grants, Best Start Foods and Bridging Payments
- £64 million for universal provision of free school meals during term time for children in p4 and p5 and alternative holiday provision for eligible children
- £306 million for concessionary travel
- £437 million to help with household bills via Council Tax Reduction and Water Charge Reduction
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group here, follow Record Money on Twitter here, or subscribe to our twice weekly newsletter here.
