Financial support
Benefits for every day living
Benefits are payments from the state to support you with living costs, such as travel and food.
Find out about what benefits you may be entitled to using a benefit calculator. We also have information about other benefits available.
The following websites also provide information about benefits:
For information about banking, including opening a bank account, see our general guidance and information section.
Universal Credit
You can access Universal Credit as soon as you arrive in the UK. Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with living costs.
Apply for Universal Credit on the UK government website.
Money to help in a crisis
If you’ve applied for Universal Credit, you can ask for an advanced payment. However, if you’re in a financial crisis you can also apply for a Crisis Grant.
Further advice and help with applying
You can get further advice from our Financial Inclusion Team.
Citizens Advice Scotland can also provide help with applying for benefits.
Support from mobile phone providers
Some UK mobile phone providers are offering free sim cards and discounts for those displaced by the war in the Ukraine – you are advised to check websites and shops for the latest promotions.
Support with basic household items
Home Basics is a social enterprise who support people on low income and means-tested benefits with the purchase of basic household furniture and electrical items. They also operate a self-referral discount scheme which has been extended to include displaced Ukrainians and other refugees who might find themselves rehoused and needing basic items. You can contact them through their website to see how they may be able to help.
Cost of living crisis
A new section has been created on our website that provides advice, information and support in relation to the current cost of living crisis. This includes links to recent published Scottish Government advice and can be accessed on our cost of living support pages.