Financial Support – we offer a helping hand when you need us.
We are proud of what we do to support our communities.
Sometimes that means providing you with a helping hand when it comes to your finances. That’s why we have a dedicated Financial Support Team. The Team is made up of three skilled professionals whose job it is to help you access financial support in a number of ways.
Examples of what the Financial Support Team can help with include:
-
Benefit checks - there are a range of State Benefits available, some of which you may not even know you may be entitled to.
-
Help with completing the appropriate paperwork or forms to apply for benefits including online applications for Universal Credit and Council Tax reduction claims.
-
Help with Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Employment & Support Allowance (ESA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance forms.
-
Help with Mandatory reconsiderations, reviews, and appeals - by this we mean challenging a decision that has been made to deny you benefits. If you think you have a case, we can help you with the paperwork and can represent you at any Appeal Tribunal.
-
Help with energy advice and worries - We work with skilled energy advisors and the Wise Group Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) who assist with fuel debt and can establish if you are on the right energy tariff.
Contact Us
If you think our Financial Support Team can help you, please get in touch. You can call us on 0141 946 2466 during office hours or email fst@maryhill.org.uk
If you are in financial difficult, the earlier you contact us the better.
This also applies to your rent. If you are unable to pay your rent or think this may be a problem, then please get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: I have received a Migration Notice from DWP asking me to claim Universal Credit. What do I do?
A: The letter you received will include that date you should make a claim by. Your old benefits will stop after this deadline. If you claim Universal Credit before the deadline, the DWP might pay you extra to stop you being worse off. This is called ‘transitional protection.’ You can apply for Universal Credit online.
If you need help to apply call us on 0141 946 2466 and ask to speak to a member of our Financial Support Team.
Q: My benefits have been delayed. What do I do?
A: If you are in financial crisis you can call the Scottish Welfare Fund on 0141 276 1177 and apply for a Crisis Grant for living expenses. You can also call into our office for a referral to the local foodbank / food pantry if you feel that is appropriate.
If you have applied for Universal Credit, you may be eligible for an Advance Payment.
Q: My benefits have been stopped. What can I do?
A: You normally have 28 days (from the date of the letter informing you of this) to challenge the decision. Call the number on the letter to speak with the relevant department or call us on 0141 946 2466 and ask to speak to a member of our Financial Support Team. It is also possible to submit a late reconsideration.
Q: I have received a letter stating that my Personal Independence Payment (PIP), will stop and will move to Adult Disability Payment (ADP). What do I do?
A: The letter will explain if you are required to provide Social Security Scotland with further information. If you have been asked to complete an questionnaire and would like assistance to complete this, please contact us as soon as you can so that an appointment can be arranged before the deadline.
Q: When will I get my Warm Home Discount Payment?
A: The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2024 -2025 is already open. You can get £150 off your electricity bill under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money is not paid to you - it is a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between September and May. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. Contact your supplier or click here for more information.
Q: I didn't receive all of my items from the Scottish Welfare Fund or my claim has been refused. What should I do?
A: If your claim has been refused in whole or only some items have been awarded, we can help you ask for the Scottish Welfare Fund to review their decision (within 28 days of the decision). If items have been awarded but have not been delivered, we can help contact the delivery company to find out what has happened with your items.
Our Financial Support Team can also help you to apply for grants for other charitable organisations.