Alternative sources of support

Landlord advice

If you have any housing issues then you should discuss these with your landlord.

• Fife Council
• Fife Housing Association
• Glen Housing Association
• Kingdom Housing Association
• Ore Valley Housing Association
• Caledonia Housing Association
• Dunedin Canmore Housing
• Hillcrest Housing Association
• Ochil View Housing Association.

You will also be able to access free, confidential and independent advice from Shelter Scotland.

Community Care grants

Community Care grants are in place to help vulnerable people set up home, or continue to live independently within their community. There must be a severe and immediate need and you would face significant adverse consequences if you were not awarded a grant.

Crisis grant

Crisis grants can help keep you and your family safe from harm in a one-off crisis.

You might be able to apply for a crisis grant if you’ve had an emergency,

Furniture or household items

You may be able to get a DWP Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund for furniture or household items if you are receiving certain benefits.

Through contacts with Women's Aid Starter Packs can also be provided to women who are moving into their own accommodation

Help support your local community and benefit the environment by buying low cost furniture and electrical appliances from re-use charities such as the British Heart Foundation, Castle Furniture Project and Fife Furniture Plus.

Social media sites can be a good source of low cost furnishing/appliances, these are usually local people selling for a low price or giving away for FREE!!!

Home Contents Insurance

If you are a Fife Council tenant make sure that you are covered with a suitable home contents insurance policy means that you don't have to worry too much about the cost of replacing your belongings if they are lost or damaged.  You can get information from The Money Advice Service.

Moving House

You may get a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) in certain circumstances.

You may also get a DWP Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund for removal expenses or rent in advance if you are getting certain benefits.

Heating your home 

Cosy Kingdom is there to help! This free and impartial energy advice service is open to all tenants and homeowners and has already helped over 5,000 Fifers – why not join them?  See below for how to get in touch along with other useful contacts:

• Cosy Kingdom on 01592 858458 Email: info@cosykingdom.org.uk Text ‘COSY’ then YOUR NAME to 88440 Website: www.cosykingdom.org.uk. To request a Cosy Kingdom, free home energy visit, please complete the attached "Do it Online" e-form:  Cosy Kingdom Referral Form.
• St Andrews Environmental Network on 01334 659315  Email: info@standrewsenvironmental.org
• CARF on 03451 400095 Website: www.cabfife.org.uk
• The Energy Saving Trust manages delivery of the Scottish Government’s schemes through the Home Energy Scotland hotline. For telephone advice (free from landlines and most mobiles) call 0808 808 2282 or text ‘WARM’ to 81025 for a call back.  Website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.

Citizens Advice & Rights Fife (CARF)

CARF provides a free, confidential and independent Money Advice service.

CARF's Money Advice Unit has a team of specialist advisers who provide, free, confidential, independent money advice and debt management options. They deal with over 2000 enquiries each year and employ fully trained advisers to assist with all sorts of financial issues, from repossession to bankruptcy.  They can be contacted on: 0345 1400 094.

The best way to get tailored debt help and money advice is to contact one of our expert debt advisers either via telephone or by completing a digital form at CARF Money Advice.

CARF have several financial inclusion projects that can assist with financial capability and other money and benefit related issues. For more information contact our CARF Money Advice team on 0345 1400 094.

CARF also has a dedicated Pension Wise Adviser. This is for people who are

• close to, or over the age of 55
• hold a defined contribution pension, and want to discuss drawing pension benefits in the next six months

Please contact 0800 138 3944 or book an appointment online at Book a free Pension Wise appointment | MoneyHelper.

The Money Advice Service

The Money Advice Service also provides free, confidential and independent advice on a broad range of financial matters including Money Advice, debt, home insurance and other financial products and services, including bank accounts.

Budgeting Loan

You may be able to get a DWP Budgeting Loan to help pay off certain debts that have been taken out pay for essentials if you are getting certain benefits.

Adult Learning Service

The Council's Adult Learning Service can provide support and assistance with budgeting and financial education.

Cold Weather Payments

Pensioners on Pension Credit will usually qualify for the scheme. Some people on other benefits may also qualify for a Cold Weather Payment, including:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit

People can find out if they are due a Cold Weather Payment by calling – 0800 99 1234.

Credit Unions are a community savings and loan cooperative available to everyone.  They operate with three main aims:  to provide loans at low rates; to encourage all members to save regularly; and to help members in need of financial advice and assistance. www.fifecreditunions.org.uk Tel: 01592 760739

Conduit Scotland is a not for profit community lender offering fast, fair, flexible and affordable loans form £100 – £1000, to people in financial crisis and excluded from mainstream lending. www.conduitscotland.com Tel: Dunfermline 01383 668478 Kirkcaldy 01592 80878

Job Clubs

Fife Council's Job Clubs provides free information, advice and guidance on employment.

You can look for a job using Universal Jobmatch.

If you have a disability, you may get financial support through the DWP's Access to Work Scheme.

If you are getting certain benefits, you could get a DWP Budgeting Loan from the Social Fund for expenses connected with looking for or starting work (including childcare costs).

Lone Parent Discretionary Fund

If you are a lone parent, who has recently started work, you may be able to get help from the Lone Parent Discretionary Fund from the DWP for the first 6 months after your benefits have stopped. You can apply for childcare, living or unexpected costs to assist you to remain in work by contacting your local Jobcentre

Travel

The jobcentre plus travel card is provided to those unemployed claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit for 3-9 months (18-24 year olds) or 3-12 months (over 25s). Other benefit recipients may receive a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card from 3 months of their claim and if they are actively engaged with a Jobcentre Plus adviser. Cardholders are entitled to a 50% discount on selected rail tickets and discounts on bus fares if they are:

• Actively seeking work and engaged with a Jobcentre Plus adviser
• Not on a work programme
• Must take 2 passport-size photographs with you

May be used at the discretion of Jobcentre Plus staff to help with the cost of travelling to an interview, training or for the first months of travelling to work.

Further information on the support available for the unemployed can be found in your local Jobcentre Plus office. See more details on how to contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.

Frontline Fife can offer you co-ordinated help and advice to help your situation:

• Housing Advice– help and advice on housing options available to you and Lay Representation in court.
• Money Advice– Help and advice on how to maximise your money and manage your debt (including options which may enable you to keep your property)
• Legal Advice– Legal help, advice and representation in court for mortgage repossession and eviction

Anyone needing help across Fife can email: makingjusticework@frontlinefife.co.uk or Gillian at 01592 583394.

Fife International Forum

Premier House, Randolph Industrial Estate,
29a Randolph Pl,
Kirkcaldy, UK
KY1 2YX

For free advice, information, help, support and referrals to mainstream service providers.

CARF Advice Clinic - a dedicated advice clinic for you, with help and advice from a Citizen Advice & Rights Fife adviser. This clinic runs once a month and you will be referred to it once you attend the daily advice clinic.

Kingdom Credit Union (collection point) -  We provide a collection point for the Kingdom Credit Union, this runs from 2-4 on a Monday afternoon. Please drop in for information on savings and loans.

To book or enquire about an activity call 01592 642927 or email info@fifeinternational.uk

This booklet explains where you can get free access to computers and the internet in Fife, and where you can learn more about how to use them.

1. Where can I get computer access and internet?
2. Where can I improve my computer skills?
3. Where are my community job clubs?
4. Do you have computer skills and want to volunteer?

Poppy Scotland provides and fund a variety of services to give advice, support and financial support. Call 0131 550 1557 for more information accessing support or email gethelp@poppyscotland.org.uk

The Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) supports people who are serving, ex-service personnel or members of the Merchant Navy who served on a commercial vessel.

Our trained, specialist adviser provides information, advice and ongoing casework support.  We work with a wide range of organisations within and beyond the Armed Forces Community to put together the right support package for you and your family and provide advice on benefits, debt, work-related problems, consumer issues, relationships and service related matters. Call 03451 400 095 or email ASAP@citizensadvicedirect.org.uk