UK Bill Help

The Midlothian Council provides financial help to the poor, people on benefits, the jobless, or those in a disaster among others. The assistance can help a resident keep their electricity on or food in the fridge. There may be help in obtaining furniture or white goods for a home. Or there is moving expense help or other support, and all this aid is from the Midlothian Council welfare fund.
When a family (or individual) has no money or savings, no friends or family to help, and have a low income (or benefits), then they can apply for a welfare grant from the Midlothian Council. As the scheme is for paying emergency bills, including some housing costs. This is part of the larger Scottish national Welfare Fund.

Grant awards

This is a discretionary scheme from the Midlothian Council. No one is entitled to financial help. But even if not eligible for aid from the government, then the Midlothian Council can like the family to other forms of support. Free referrals are given out by the benefits team. As there are Trussell Trust as well as independent food banks in the county. There are also Citizens Advice Centres as well as Midlothian Young Peoples Advice Service at 176 High St, Dalkeith EH22 1AY, (phone 131 454 0757). The disabled and care givers can get help from Wee Break Midlothian at 30/1 Dalhousie Rd, Dalkeith EH22 3NX (phone 131 271 3707). The point being the Council has lists of other charities.

The Midlothian Council welfare grants come in two types. One is the crisis scheme which can be used for paying bills, including energy, transportation, or fuel. There is also grants to pay for funeral or other critical living expenses. It is for people who lost their job or are facing a disaster, including flood or fire. The crisis scheme will require the applicant to be on a low income, benefits (see the list below), and also over age 16. There is a priority scheme in Midlothian Council for pensioners, older people, and the disabled too.

The second option from the Midlothian Council welfare scheme is a community care grant. It is for housing types costs or the goods needed to furnish a home or flat. It too is discretionary, for the low income, and a scheme of last resort. Examples of who community care can help may be someone leaving a shelter or hostel. Or it can be for a sick person leaving a hospital or nursing home and that need help is setting up in the Midlothian Community.

Who does Midlothian Council welfare scheme help

Assistance is discretionary. Not one is entitled to a grant or help for their bills. The applicant needs to be 17 years of age or older. They also can’t have savings or assets available to them. Applicants need to be on a low income or benefits, including Jobseeker’s Allowance, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefits or another welfare scheme.

The Midlothian Council scheme is not long term. People can only get a grant at most 3 times per year. That also depends on funding from the central government. But referrals are given.

Applications for grants, financial help, and the welfare scheme is available at the Midlothian Council and their Benefits Team. The address is Buccleuch House, P.O. Box 12956, Dalkeith, Midlothian, EH22 1YB. The phone number to call is 0131 270 5600.