Cost of living support

We know many people are worried about their mortgage payments, with interest rates getting higher, you might feel anxious about making all your monthly payments.

Where can I get help?

Money Advice & Rights team

Email: mart@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

Telephone: 0141 577 8420

East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Housing Adviser: 0141 881 2032

Money Advisor: 07901 607390

What help is available?

• Look at ways to maximise your income to ensure you're receiving everything you're entitled to
• Review your income and expenditure  to help determine if your mortgage repayments are affordable and realistic for you and help you budget for this
• If you're in arrears, we can help you negotiate a repayment arrangement with your lender
• Advice on options available to help you address your mortgage arrears along with any other debt you may have
• Assistance if your lender is threatening to take action against you (or has already started action)
• Advice on government support schemes available and help to apply for these

Further support:

• Help for home owners with mortgage difficulties
• Shelter Scotland
• Money Helper

Regardless of how much money you owe, if you're worried about debt, help is available. The earlier you get advice, the more options may be available to you, but it's important to know you're never too late to get help. Millions of households across the UK struggle with debt, you're not on your own.

Where I can get help?

Money Advice & Rights team

Email: mart@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

Telephone: 0141 577 8420

East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Money Advisor: 07917 853335, 07901 607309 or 0141 881 2032

What help is available?

• Identify and prioritise your debts
• Carry out a full benefit check to ensure you're getting everything you're entitled to
• Offer impartial advice even when legal action has already been taken against you
• Advise on what options are available to you based on your circumstances and help set up a debt option
• Help to assess if you are liable for the debt in your name
• Negotiate with and contact creditors on your behalf
• Help you to get breathing space from your creditors

Further support:

Get help with debt and money

Money Advice Scotland

Money Helper

Citizens Advice Scotland

Debt and Money

With the rise in energy costs over the last few years we know many households are worried about being able to afford to heat their home. You're not alone and help is available.

Where I can get help?

Money Advice & Rights team

Email: mart@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk

Telephone: 0141 577 8420

East Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau

Telephone: 0141 881 2032

Home Energy Scotland

Telephone: 0808 808 2282

Website: www.homeenergyscotland.org

We can help with

• Bill arrears
• High bills/usage
• Disconnection from supply (if you are at risk of imminent disconnection or have already been disconnected)
• Setting up or renegotiating payments with your supplier(s)
• Access to emergency credit for prepayment meters
• Signing up to the Priority Services Register
• Referring to and applying for national support such as Home Energy Scotland, Fuel Bank Foundation and Home Heating Support.

Top tips for reducing energy

• Turn your thermostat down by one degree celsius - this could help to reduce your heating bills by up to 10%
• Move furniture away from radiators where possible - this allows air to circulate and your room should be become warmer quicker
• Wash clothes at a lower temperature- reducing your washing temperature by a little as 10C can help to reduce costs
• Close curtains at night - this helps to retain temperature in the room
• Switch off lights when no one is in the room - by remembering to do this you can help reduce your costs over the year
• Regularly defrost your fridge/freezer. Fridge/freezers can often use the highest amount of electricity in your kitchen. Regular defrosting keeps ice under control and allows it to run more efficiently
• Try to only wash a full load - whether it's the dishwater or washing machine this will help to save your electricity costs.