Published Date: May 22nd, 2023
The better weather might provide a bit of relief from huge fuel bills, but everyday living costs are still creating a strain for many people in Fife. So, don't forget that we are here to help and there is still lots of help available.
Fifers are being encouraged to #GetHelpFife by visiting the community website, our.fife.scot/gethelp, to find out what support is available, and it’s probably more than you’d expect.
The free and confidential Fife Benefits Checker can help you find out what extra money you can claim. Simply enter your details online and you'll receive an estimate of the entitlements you could be eligible for. Even if you already receive some benefits it's worth checking.
There’s also help available for those who aren’t eligible for any benefits. Some of the support which is offered is universal, meaning anyone can get it.
Fife Council spokesperson for Communities and Leisure Services, Cllr Linda Erskine encouraged everyone, even those who have tried before, to have a look at the site.
She said: “I want to remind people that there’s a lot of support available to help with the cost of living crisis. The #GetHelpFife site has proven invaluable to many people, but there are still many more people out there not claiming all the support they are entitled to. There may also be some who felt they didn’t need this support when our campaign was launched last year, but who now find themselves in different circumstances.
“I’d especially like to encourage them to try out the online Fife Benefits Checker, even if they’ve tried it before. There have been some changes to income limits, particularly for Universal Credit, so where you may not have qualified for benefits previously you could now be eligible. The take-up of these benefits is vitally important because often they open up access to a lot of other support. For anyone not online it's possible to request a benefit check over the phone via the Community Support Line 0800 952 0330.
“We want to make sure every Fifer has easy access to coordinated, practical information and support, that helps reduce the impact of rising costs. The OurFife community website brings all that information together in one place, and it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.”
The site contains information from a variety of community partners, community groups, national organisations and other government bodies. It can be searched by topic, for example, food or health, or you can search by area and see what’s available right on your doorstep. There’s also an interactive map where you can click to highlight the resources in your area whether that’s community job clubs, warm spaces venues, or places where you can get help with food such as community pantries, community fridges, foodbanks, community cafés and many more.
Some of the universal support available can help with; free bus travel for under 21s, Café Inc lunch clubs, community fridges /pantries, free period products, money advice, advice on fuel and energy costs, Fifestyle concession and access card | Fife Council
Councillor Erskine concluded by saying: “The cost of living crisis has not gone away if anything, it’s now more critical than before. We can’t solve all the problems that the cost of living crisis brings, but we can try to make sure that if folk turn to us for support or advice, they’ll get the help they need. “
