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As the Third Sector Interface for the Falkirk Council area, we're a local, independent charitable company which exists to promote, develop and represent the third sector and volunteering. We provide a range of services predominantly to volunteers and third sector organisations, but also provide support and assistance to statutory partners to engage better with the third sector.
Our e-bulletin articles are linked to our website which will provide you with further information, simply click on the article title to open the full article in a new window.
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This week's e-bulletin will focus on support and resources available to help maximise income for individuals and families, especially during COVID-19.
In these difficult times, we know that money worries or pressures add to the concerns of individuals and families. In order to help you to support the people you are currently engaging with, we have put together some sources of financial assistance that are available.
This e-bulletin includes information that families and individuals can access themselves as well as stakeholder and partner resources. Please re-circulate the information as widely as possible to ensure we can maximise the support people are entitled to by raising awareness of these resources.
For further information on available support and resources, please visit the CVS Falkirk website, or continue reading this e-bulletin.
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One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) has secured funding from Scottish Government’s Wellbeing Fund to provide support to single parents across Scotland during this challenging period.
Through this funding, third sector and statutory organisations can sponsor single parents to apply for £50 for help with their energy costs.
This is not a means tested application, though sponsors are required to ascertain there are issues of hardship. Single parents with children up to 25 years old are eligible. Demand is anticipated to be high, and sponsors are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible.
The deadline for applications is 5pm next Wednesday 24th June.
For further information, including how to apply, contact the OPFS Energy Grants Team by phone: 0131 556 3899, or email: energygrants@opfs.org.uk
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The Best Start School Age Payment is now open for applications for children born between Sunday 1st March 2015 – Monday 29th February 2016.
This is a £250 payment made around the time a child normally starts Primary 1; the child does not need to be taking a place in school for the family to be eligible. The payment can be used for anything that families need at this key stage in a child’s life.
Social Security Scotland note that many families’ financial situations have changed during COVID-19, who may now be eligible.
The current deadline for applications is Sunday 28th February 2021.
For further information, including how to apply, please click on the above title.
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Falkirk Council’s benefits calculator is available to help people find out the benefits they can claim, including those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The calculator is free to use, and anonymous.
Before starting a calculation, people are advised to make sure they have information to hand about their income, savings, pensions and existing benefits (including their partners’). Progress can be saved and restarted at any time.
Please note that the results of calculator are an estimate/guide to potential entitlement and are wholly dependent upon the answers you have given.
For further information, please click on the above title.
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Due to COVID-19, all Citizens Advice Bureaux (CABs) in the Forth Valley area (including those in Falkirk) are offering services via telephone and email only, including for referrals.
They are still working to provide support and advice during this time.
As a result, we have gathered the contact information for Falkirk’s CAB branches into one place:
They have also created a COVID-19 information page, updated regularly.
For further information, please contact your local CAB via the details above.
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In addition to their general COVID-19 support, Home Energy Scotland offers:
- support for households with prepayment meters who are worried about topping up during COVID-19
- clear advice on ways to save energy and reduce fuel costs while staying warm at home
- practical help if households find themselves without heating or hot water
- information about extra help from energy suppliers to make sure people don’t get cut off
They also encourage their partners to refer people through their secure online referral portal, where Home Energy Scotland will call people back as soon as possible.
Alternatively, people can speak to an advisor for free by phone: 0808 808 2282, or request a callback by email: adviceteam@sc.homeenergyscotland.org
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The latest Social Security Scotland newsletter is now available to view online.
This edition details:
- updates to the Best Start School Age Payment (currently open to applications for children born between Sunday 1st March 2015 – Monday 29th February 2016)
- the new “Coronavirus Financial Assistance Campaign”, a partnership between Social Security Scotland, Scottish Government and the Citizens Advice network
- the new Child Winter Heating Assistance
- Carer’s Allowance statistics
- Social Security Scotland’s services during COVID-19
To view all updates, please view the newsletter via MailChimp.
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