West Lothian Council Cost of Living Hub

West Lothian Council have compiled a range of resources to help with details of support available 

This includes help with benefits and money, energy costs, household costs, grants and more.

GOV.UK ‘Help for Households’

Details what cost of living support may be available for households.

Energy Advice and Support

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: To 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

Support to Access Food

There are several organisations and community groups within West Lothian to help you gain access to food essentials. You can use this online locator map to identify this support in your community:

Warm Welcomes

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. 

Benefits Advice and Support

West Lothian Advice Shop: Can offer benefit checks, application assistance, help with appeals and resolving issues with benefits. You can find out more on their website or call 01506 283000

CoWL Benefits Advice Clinic: Run by a benefits advisor from Advice Shop fortnightly via telephone or Teams. You can book an appointment by calling us on 01506 448000 or email office@carers-westlothian.com

Social Security Scotland: Are responsible for certain benefits and grants. More information at: socialsecurity.gov.scot or call 0800 182 2222

Citizens Advice Bureau West Lothian: Find benefits advice and more on their website or call 01506 432977

Disability Information Scotland: Provide reliable support for people in Scotland living with a disability. Visit their website or call their helpline on 03003 239961

Turn 2 Us: Are a charity who provide help to those going through financial difficulty. Visit their website. 

Debt Support

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