If you are worried about debt then you are not alone. Most of us find ourselves stretched financially from time to time and usually things get back to normal. Occasionally though, bills can mount up, arrears can increase and debts can easily get out of control. The best thing to do is seek help and talk things through. Read more about the financial supports available here: Financial Support.
New – Scottish Government have launched a cost of living website which you can access here http://gov.scot/costoflivingsupport.
Scottish Child Payment information sheet 
Don’t Miss Out!
Warm Home Discount Scheme gives money off your electricity bill, or if your supplier gives you both gas and electricity, money off the gas bill. It is a payment for those on Pension Guaranteed Credit or certain others on low income who meet the criteria through your supplier.
Customers who are eligible via the core group e.g. those in receipt of the guaranteed element of pension credit will still be contacted automatically in November whilst customers who fit the criteria via the broad group category must still apply to be eligible for the payment. Check with your own individual supplier for more information.
For further information visit –
https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/energy-suppliers
Open Now –
The Utilita Warm Home Discount Scheme for 2022/23 in Scotland is now open for current Utilita customers. Information and how to apply can be found here – Warm Home Discount in Scotland | Utilita Energy
The window for applications to Utilita is very small – 5th October until 12th October so it is important that customers apply now.
The EDF Energy Warm Home Discount Scheme 2022/23 is also open for applications for current EDF Energy customers living in Scotland and information on criteria as well as how to apply can be found here:
WHD – Scotland | EDF (edfenergy.com)
For an update on the Cost of Living payment, click this link
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cost-of-living-payment
Education Maintenance Allowance(EMA)
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) gives financial support to eligible 16 to 19 year olds who want to continue learning. You may also be eligible for EMA if you are on an Activity Agreement placement. EMA is a weekly payment of £30 for students who are planning to continue in post-compulsory education from August 2022. If your date of birth falls between 1 March 2003 and 30 September 2006 you may be eligible for an EMA form the start of the academic year 2022/23. For more information click on this link.
Free School Meals/Clothing Grant
If you child qualifies for free school meals then they would be entitled to receive a two course meal worth £2.15 per day. You can qualify even if you are working and in receipt of certain benefits. Check if you qualify and to apply online at –https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/Benefits/Benefits-EducationAndSchool/Clothing-grants-and-free-school-meals/Clothing-grants-and-free-school-meals.aspx
Bridging Payment
If you qualify for free school meals based on low income then you will also qualify for the £130 Bridging Payment. The Autumn payment is due to be paid on 14th October 2022, or later if claims are registered before the end of term in October 2022. You can’t get these payments if your child is in early learning and childcare (nursery). The Scottish Child Payment is available for children under the age of 6. Visit website – Scottish child payment bridging payments · East Ayrshire Council (east-ayrshire.gov.uk)
Are you claiming Scottish Child Payment?
Scottish Child Payment is currently £40 every 4 weeks for a child under the age of six.
This payment is set to increase from 1st April 2022 to £80 every 4 weeks.
You can apply whether you are in work or not, as long as you are getting one or more of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
To check if you qualify you can visit the website –
https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment/who-should-apply
Child Benefit when your child reaches 16yrs
Your Child Benefit stops on 31 August on or after your child’s 16th birthday if they leave education or training. It continues if they stay in approved education or training, but you must tell the Child Benefit Office. You’ll be sent a letter in your child’s last year at school asking you to confirm their plans. For more information visit – https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19
Young Carer Grant
Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment; it is currently £308.15. This is a payment for young carers in Scotland aged 16, 17 or 18 who care for people who are in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit. For further information click on this link- Do you know about Young Carers EA Money
To apply go click on this link https://www.mygov.scot/young-carer-grant
EA Money
Energy Saving Tips – https://biteable.com/watch/3506410/eef35ae0fe539d8a91862dd703fc9ebd
Expansion of universal free school meals
Free school meals will then be extended to P5 children from 6 January 2022-
https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/Coronavirus/School-meals.aspx
Best start Grant School Age Payment
Application period closes in 28 February 2022 for children with DOB 1 March 2016-28 February 2017-
| Your child’s date of birth | When you can apply |
| Between 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018 | Between 1 June 2022 and 28 February 2023 |
https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods/how-it-works#school-age-payment
Recent changes to Universal Credit
Bright Deal Support
Bright Deal support deaf and hard of hearing people understand and manage their energy bills. For more information contact:
Child Disability Payment new applications 
From Monday 22 November, Scotland’s Child Disability Payment opens for new applications for children and young people with a Scottish postcode.
This benefit replaces the UK Government’s Disability Living Allowance for children and young people and is the first disability benefit to be introduced by the Scottish Government following a successful pilot.
For further information go to – https://www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment/applicants
Existing claims of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Starting with young people aged 15 to 17 years; existing claims of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will be transferred over to Child Disability Payment by spring 2022. The remainder of claims are expected to be transferred by spring 2023.
Parents and carers will be notified when the transfer process is carried out. There is no need to re-apply and payments will remain the same during transfer.
Payments will then be from Social Security Scotland instead of the Department for Work and Pensions.
For further information go to – https://www.mygov.scot/child-disability-payment/applicants
If you need benefit advice contact –
EA Money 0800 3897750 https://eamoney.co.uk/
Financial Inclusion Officer for Loudoun Education Group
Loudoun Academy and its associated primary schools and Early Childhood Centres (ECC) – namely Darvel Primary and ECC, Newmilns Primary and ECC, Galston Primary and ECC, Hurlford Primary and ECC and Fenwick Primary and ECC – have their own Financial Inclusion Officer, Julie McCall.
If your child or young person attends any of the schools or ECCs listed above, you can contact your Financial Inclusion Officer for advice about welfare benefit provisions and income maximisation, on 07584 490 511 or email julie.mccall@east-ayrshire.gov.uk
The 5 Family Benefits clip
Low income pandemic payment
Announced by the Scottish Government on 8 March, a low income pandemic support payment of £130 will be paid to low income households to help towards increased costs and lost income due to coronavirus. https://www.east-ayrshire.gov.uk/CouncilAndGovernment/Coronavirus/Low-income-pandemic-payment.aspx
Self Isolation Payment
Family pandemic support payments
Family pandemic support payments of £100 will be paid to all eligible school aged children and young people (P1-S6) in receipt of free school meals this summer and winter.
If you have not already done so you can apply for the Scottish Child Payment on mygov.scot.
Self-isolation support grant
If you are required to self-isolate but will lose income because you are unable to work from home, help may be available through the Self-Isolation Support Grant (SISG).
Administered through the Scottish Welfare Fund, a payment of £500 is available to workers who are in receipt of low income benefits, who earn less than the Real Living Wage threshold or whose household income is such that it falls within the agreed definition of ‘low income’ and will lose income due to either them, their child or someone they care for self-isolating.
Free Dental Care for Under 26 year olds
From 24 August 2021, young people will be eligible for free NHS dental treatment on courses started before their 26th birthday. The changes will take effect immediately and there is no “opt-in” required.
If you are not currently registered with an NHS dentist, you should phone your regional dental helpline at your local Health Board, details of which can be found online at NHS Inform.
Scottish Government Policy on NHS Dentistry for Young People Under 26
Free school meals, milk and a school clothing grant
Low income families can get free school meals, milk and a school clothing grant to help towards buying school clothes for their children. All children in primary one to three receive free school meals, but not free milk or a clothing grant.
For more information please click on this link 
School Transport
We will provide free transport for all primary pupils who live 1.5 miles or more from their local primary school (by the recognised shortest suitable walking distance) and to secondary pupils who live 3 miles or more from their local secondary school (by the recognised shortest suitable walking distance). Your child will remain registered for free transport until the end of their P7 year or S6 year.
You should submit a new application for:
- new P1 pupils who require transport for 2021/22
- new S1 pupils who require transport for 2021/22
- all pupils who normally qualify for subsidised transport to secondary school.
Please note that before applying you will need to register for an Our East Ayrshire account if you do not already have one.
School transport online application form
Download the Free School Transport leaflet (PDF 331 Kb) for details.
Advice & information on benefit and money issues
Financial wellbeing website:
Benefits Information
5 payments Early learning poster
5 payments pregnancy and baby poster
For more information please click on this link – The 5 Family Payments
Discretionary Housing Payment
Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) can help you pay more of your rent so you don’t have to. If you are on partial Housing Benefit or partial Universal Credit Housing payment, you may qualify for an additional support by making a claim for DHP
You can make a claim yourself by going on-line to https://eastayrshi.re/DHP. Alternatively go to the East Ayrshire Council website and search for ‘Discretionary Housing Payment’.
Or if you need help or advice with your claim, email Universal Credit Support team or call 01563 503280.
