Finding the right ways to help your Financial Wellbeing

Being a carer or disabled person can be a significant impact on your finances. However, there is help out there. We’ve pulled together a list of resources to help you manage a range of financial difficulties.

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Maximising your Financial Wellbeing

Being a carer or living with a disability can come with its financial challenges, but there is plenty of support available to help ease the burden.

Whether it be help with your rising energy bills, or to find out how you can have access to food—help in West Lothian is available. Have a look below to find our handy list of local and national resources all aimed at lessening your financial burden.

For more tailored support, or if you’d like to speak to someone then please get in touch to speak to a member of our team about how we can help.

Download our Financial Wellbeing Factsheet

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Prefer this information in a PDF?

Book an appointment

We offer financial wellbeing support in two ways: through CoWLs Financial Wellbeing Advisor and in partnership with the West Lothian Advice Shop.

Advice Shop Financial Wellbeing Clinic
Appointments are available on Wednesday mornings by phone or online. Support can include benefit checks, appeal options and access to wider Advice Shop services.

CoWL Financial Wellbeing Support
Offering a person-centered service to help you understand your financial options, maximise your income and connect with wider community support. Appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in person, online or by phone.

Please note:

  • Follow-up appointments may be required and will be arranged directly with your advisor.

  • Appointments are time-limited and cannot be used for form filling. If you need help completing forms, please contact us to arrange a direct referral.

  • West Lothian Council have compiled a range of resources with details about how to get support.

    This includes help with benefits and money, energy costs, household costs, grants and more. You can view the hub on their website here.

  • The government have put together their ‘Help for Households’ resource which shows you what support is available to help with the cost of living.

    You can view the page by clicking here.

  • The following services share advice and information with tips to reduce the costs of your bills, as well as possible grants and services that may be available to you.

    West Lothian Advice Shop: Speak to an advisor about energy advice and grants, call 01506 283000 (and press option 4) or visit their website.

    Citizens Advice Scotland: Online advice available, including smaller articles with tips to help cut down your bills. Visit their website. 

    Home Energy Scotland: This website has a huge range of energy advice available, including ways to make your home more energy-efficient and funding that you may be eligible for. Visit their website or call 0808 808 2282

    Energy Advice.Scot: Provide free, practical advice on a range of energy-related topics. Visit their website or call 0808 1968660

  • There are several organisations and community groups within West Lothian to help you gain access to food essentials.

    You can use the West Lothian Council online locator map to identify this support in your community, click here to view.

  • West Lothian Council have created a map full of ‘Warm Welcome’ locations throughout the area. These places provide local people with a warm & welcoming place to visit, socialise, access services and provide support. Click here to view the map.

  • Debt can be a difficult subject to talk about. With it, it can bring a lot of worry and stress.

    If you are struggling with debt, there are local and national services who offer free support and advice, so you don’t need to worry alone:

    West Lothian Advice Shop – Money and Debt Advice: http://www.westlothian.gov.uk/…/Money-and-Debt-Advice

    Citizens Advice Bureau (Debt and Money Advice): cabwestlothian.org.uk/services/debt-and-money Tel: 01506 432977

    Step Change Debt Charity: stepchange.org Tel: 0800 138 1111

    National Debtline: nationaldebtline.org Tel: 0808 808 4000

Not sure what help is for you?

We run our regular ‘Financial Wellbeing’ clinic in partnership with West Lothian Advice Shop. Designed to help you find out what benefits may be available for your situation, help with form filling or just general financial advice.

Find out more