Other help - Scotland-wide

National Debtline

National Debtline is a charity. They give free and independent advice over the phone and online.  If you’re self-employed Business Debtline can help.

Call for free debt advice on 0808 808 4000

Website:  www.nationaldebtline.org

Webchat with an adviser Monday to Friday 9am – 8pm

StepChange

Wherever you live in Scotland, StepChange Debt Charity can provide free debt advice tailored to your individual circumstances and in line with Scottish debt law. They are an approved organisation for setting up debt payment plans through the Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS).

Call for FREE on 0800 138 1111 (Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-4pm).

Webchat offers guidance and information to help you with general queries. Their support team is available Monday-Friday 8am-8pm (except bank holidays) and Saturday 9am-2pm.

Website:  www.stepchange.org

Debt Navigator Scotland

Govan Law Centre’s Debt Navigator can provide advice and support if you have money problems, or debt, or arrears. You can explore their ‘Online Money Advice’ help. If you need further support please ask to chat to a money adviser on line who can talk to you about your options.

Money advisers monitor the site Monday to Friday between 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Website: debtnavigator.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Scotland form Scotland’s largest independent advice network.  Some bureaux have in-court advisors and lay representatives – find your local Citizens Advice Bureau at www.cas.org.uk/bureaux.

Council tax arrears: People struggling with council tax arrears can have access to enhanced advice through the expansion of a Citizens Advice Scotland Project. The project is currently operating in the following local authority areas: Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, Clackmannanshire, Scottish Borders, West Lothian, East Lothian, Dumfries & Galloway and the Highlands.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is an accredited agency for referrals to the Free Legal Services Unit of the Faculty of Advocates (see below).

Faculty of Advocates

The Free Legal Services Unit (FLSU) was established to provide free legal advice and representation by volunteer advocates for those who cannot afford the legal help they need, and who cannot obtain assistance from any other source. If you are interested in accessing help from the FLSU you will need to consult an accredited agency and meet certain criteria.

Free Legal Services Units which can be accessed through accredited agencies.  Current accredited advice agencies can be found at www.advocates.org.uk/instructing-advocates/free-legal-services-unit

Other help - Edinburgh and Lothians

CHAI (Community Housing Advice Initiative)

Provides advice, information, and support for people living across the Edinburgh and Lothians.

Website: www.chaiedinburgh.org.uk

Tel: 0131 442 2100.

The Advice Shop

Provies free and confidential information and advice on welfare benefits and debt matters.

Website: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/benefits-grants/advice-shop

Initial contact can be made by phoning 0131 200 2360 or calling into 249 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ.

Granton Information Centre

The main issues they can deal with is welfare benefits, housing issues, rent arrears and debt/money advice.

Website: www.gic.org.uk

Tel: 0131 551 2459/0131 552 0458

Email: info@gic.org.uk

West Lothian Advice Shop

Provides information, advice and representation on welfare rights, employment rights, money, debt and housing.

Website: www.westlothian.gov.uk/adviceshop

Tel: 01506 283 000.

Other help - Highland and Islands

Highland Council

Highland Council Welfare Support can assist with any benefits you might be entitled to, support with money matters or personal budgeting advice.

Website:  www.highland.gov.uk/info/335/community_advice/405/welfare_support

Telephone: 0800 090 1004

Email: welfare.support@highland.gov.uk

Other help - Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire

Money Advice at Aberdeen City Council

If you live in Aberdeen City, the benefits and money advice team can provide free, impartial and confidential advice on all aspects of money, budgeting and debt.

Website: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/benefits-and-advice/get-money-advice

Telephone: 03000 200 292

Lines are open Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm

Email: benefits@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Email: moneyadvice@aberdeencity.gov.uk

Gordon Rural Action

Our office in Huntly is the base for The Huntly Hub; a multi-agency project incorporating Gordon Rural Action, Job Centre Plus, Momentum, Enable, Barnardo’s, Home Energy Scotland, Aberdeenshire North Food Bank and a variety of other partners.

Gordon Rural Action, at The Huntly Hub, 55 Gordon Street, Huntly, AB54 8EQ, offers a wide range of free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and digital access on a range of issues including:

  • Scottish Security Scotland Benefit applications (Best Start Grants, Best Start Food Card, Carers Supplement, Young Carers Grant, Funeral Support Payment)
  • Scottish Welfare Fund Applications
  • Universal Credit Applications and Journal updates
  • Warm Home Discount, Blue Badge Application
  • Housing Applications (for example, Apply4Homes)
  • Council Tax Reduction/Housing Benefit.

Website:  https://gordonruralaction.org.uk/

Tel:  01466 793 676

Email:  enquiries@gordonrural.org.uk

Aberdeen Cyrenians

Aberdeen Cyrenians are a local charity. They can offer advice/support on homelessness issues, housing and benefits, debt management, access to food/clothing/toiletries/furniture/bedding/household essentials/phones/digital support. They have mailbox service for those with no fixed address.

Website:  www.aberdeen-cyrenians.org

Tel: 01224 625 732

Email: info@aberdeen-cyrenians.org

University Law Clinics

Law Clinics can provide free legal advice, assistance and representation to members of the public.  Contact your local clinic if you feel you have a problem they could help you with. The law clinics operating in Aberdeen at present are:

Aberdeen Law Project

Website: abdnlawproject.com

Tel: 01224 272 434

Email: general@abdlawproject.com

Robert Gordon University

Website: www.rgu.ac.uk/life-at-rgu/learning-facilities/law-facilities/the-law-clinic

Tel: 01224 262 394

Email: thelawclinic@rgu.ac.uk

Please note that law clinics do not advise in all areas of law, with normal exclusions being family law and criminal law. Please also note that the relevant law clinic may not be able to assist you, particularly if you earn over a certain threshold amount or if there is a more appropriate alternative provider who can assist you, which would normally be the case if you are eligible for legal aid.

Things you can do yourself

Simple Procedure

Information, guidance and forms relating to simple procedure (formerly small claims) can be found on the Scottish Courts website: www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/simple-procedure or by contacting your local sheriff court.