Help with the cost of living

Many residents are currently struggling with rising living costs. That’s why it’s important to know what help and support is available now that could benefit you, a relative, friend or neighbour.

Help is available to anyone finding times tough - you don’t have to be claiming benefits or out of work.

This page contains links to sources of help and advice from Dundee City Council, our partners and external organisations.

Open Doors Community Spaces

Open Doors Community spaces are playing a crucial role in supporting people during the cost of living crisis. These spaces provide a place for people make friends and receive essential support for food and other basic needs. All are free or low-cost.

Find out what's happening in your area:

Benefits and Money Advice

Dundee City Council

Other Websites

Universal Credit Managed Migration

Universal Credit Migration Important Update for those receiving Tax Credits (January 2024 update)

Tax credits are coming to an end, and people will need to apply for Universal Credit instead. Look out for a letter called a Universal Credit Migration Notice from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explaining what you’ll need to do, and when. The timetable for letters depends on what tax credits/other benefits you are currently receiving. The latest timescales are shown in the following table:

Tax Credits Only	From 22nd January 2024
Tax Credits with Housing Benefit	From April 2024
Housing Benefit	From April 2024
Income Support	From April 2024
Income Related Employment and Support with Child Tax Credits	From July 2024
Income Based Jobseekers Allowance	From September 2024
Income Related Employment and Support Allowance	To be confirmed

Note: It is important that in order to receive Transitional Protection, you do not make a claim for Universal Credit before you receive a Migration Notice letter.

Please don’t ignore this letter as your tax credits will end and if you haven’t applied for Universal Credit there will be a delay in receiving your benefits. Before you apply for Universal Credit, it is important to renew your tax credits, if you are asked to by HMRC (who manage Tax Credits), and check all your tax credits information is right. This is to help make sure the amount of Universal Credit you receive is correct.

On Universal Credit, many people will be entitled to the same amount they received from their previous benefits, or more. If the amount you are entitled to on Universal Credit is less than your existing benefits, a top up amount is available. This is called Transitional Protection. You can get the Transitional Protection if you have received a Migration Notice letter from DWP and make a claim by the deadline date on your letter. You will not get this Transitional Protection if you apply for Universal Credit before you receive your Migration Notice so wait for this notice to arrive before applying.

If you are having difficulty with this process please use local Advice agencies

Welfare Rights Team 01382 431188 (option2)
Citizens Advice 01382 214633
Brooksbank Advice Centre 01382 432450

Children and Families

Dundee City Council

Other Websites

One Parent Families Scotland
- Single Parent Helpline 0808 801 0323. They also offer a chat feature.
Children and Families: Scottish Government
Older or Disabled People: Scottish Government
Help paying for your childcare, Childcare Choices
Home Start Dundee
Togs for Tots Dundee
Parent Club

Family Pets

Pet Aid is the Scottish SPCA's initiative to support people and pets who are struggling. Through Pet Aid, we provide essential food supplies for animals through a network of food banks across most of Scotland. Keeping pets and people together is an amazing way to protect animal welfare. Nobody should have to give up their pet because they are unable to afford the items they need. Find out more on their website.

Energy Costs and Grants

Energy Costs

Grants to help pay off Energy Debt

If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you could apply for a grant to help pay it off.

The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:

If you can’t get a grant from your supplier, you may be eligible for a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. You don’t have to be a British Gas customer to apply.

Food Hubs and Community Fridges

Find your nearest community food project with this interactive search tool.

Some of the city's providers include:

Free Period Products

Dundee City Council is committed to the provision of free period products, including reusables, to everyone who may need to access these for themselves, on behalf of others, and for visitors to the city. In addition to being available in schools, products are also accessible in community premises across the city and by ordering online for free home delivery.

Travel

Databank: mobile data, texts and calls

Databank provides free mobile data, texts and calls to people in need. No need to prove eligibility, can be accessed at the following branches:

Arthurstone, Blackness, Central, Charleston, Coldside, Douglas, Hub, Fintry, Menzieshill and Whitfield

Please contact your local branch library for more information on drop in times.

Mental Health and Crisis Support

Bereavement / Suicide

Mental Health

Children and Young People

Other sources of advice

How can I help?

As we face an increasingly challenging winter, with both the cost of living and energy crisis leaving many individuals and families struggling with both food and fuel, the support Dundee Community Food Network projects provide is needed more than ever.

Anything you can do to support them, big or small, will enable them to continue to provide food and respond to wider support needs, and do so in a way that is dignified and gives people a choice.

Donations being sought:

Food: Tinned and store cupboard items such as tinned soups, meats, stews and vegetables; pasta, noodles, rice and sauces; rice pudding, custard and tinned fruit; and cereal and long-life milk.

Cosy comforts: Thick blankets; slippers and socks (including heated socks); gloves/fingerless gloves; woolly hats; thermal vests; flasks and hot water bottles.

A financial contribution is also warmly welcomed, as this allows the projects to provide a tailored response to their customers' needs.

View the appeal poster.

To donate directly, food projects in your local area can be found and contacted via the Dundee Community Food Network website, where there is also further information about the work of the Dundee Community Food Network.