Financial helpfor familiesas thecostof livingrises

Stirling Council and key local partners are shining a light on the support available to struggling households amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

Almost £2million of investment was approved in the 2022/23 budget last week to support families already feeling the squeeze, as communities prepare for a surge in monthly costs for fuel, energy and national insurance contributions this April.

The council is now urging those in need of financial assistance to reach out and speak to its Advice Services and Welfare Reform Team.

Trained staff provide free, independent money, debt and welfare benefits advice and have a proven track record in improving people’s finances, securing more than £23.3million in additional income for 9,332 clients across Stirling over the past five years – an average of £2,506 per person.

Among the services provided are identifying priority and non-priority debts, contacting and negotiating with creditors, maximising income by checking benefit entitlement, helping with benefit applications, challenging benefit decisions, personal budgeting, referrals to food banks and exploration of any available charitable grants.

To get in touch with the council’s Advice Services and Welfare Reform Team: email moneyadvice@stirling.gov. uk or call 01786 233528.

More information about all their services can be found at https://stirling. gov.uk/community-leisure/ advice-services-and-welfarereform/

To get in touch with Stirling CAB: email bureau@ stirlingcab.casonline.org.uk or call 01786 464773 (Monday to Friday 10am-3pm).

Some of Stirling CAB’s key services include: Redundancy Response Unit ; Energy Advice Project ; Library Outreach; Core Volunteer-led Generalist Advice Service - telephone/ email/web chat - advice, information and support Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm; and Stirling CAB Community Law Centre pilot.

More information about all the Stirling CAB services can be found at www.stirlingcab. org.uk

Use the hashtag #MoneyAdviceStirling on social media for more content on the available supports.