Help with paying your bills

If you are struggling to pay rent, your mortgage, Council Tax or energy bills, you can get help.

Start by speaking to the person you pay (landlord, lender or supplier) as soon as you can. If you live in South Lanarkshire or work for South Lanarkshire Council, our Money Matters Advice Service can help.

Rent

If you are having problems paying your rent, speak to your landlord as soon as possible.

If you are a South Lanarkshire Council tenant, contact your local housing office for help. We can:

• agree on a plan with you to pay what you owe
• help you find a way to pay that suits you
• checking if you qualify for any benefits, such as Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction

You can also check if you are entitled to Housing Benefit by using our online benefits calculator.

If you already get Housing Benefit, tell us straight away about any changes in your circumstances. This will help you avoid an overpayment that you may need to pay back.

If you are a South Lanarkshire Council tenant and have lost Housing Benefit because of the under-occupancy rules, you can contact your landlord or local housing office.

Mortgage

If you can’t pay your mortgage, you may qualify for help to reduce the payments in the short term or get help from some Government schemes. Contact Money Matters Advice Service or Citizens Advice for help.

If you are at risk of homelessness

If you might lose your home because you cannot pay your rent or mortgage, contact your local housing office or phone Shelter Scotland Housing Advice helpline 0808 800 444.

If you need somewhere to stay and offices are closed, phone 0800 242024.

Council Tax

You may be able to pay less Council Tax if:

• you are on a low income and have savings under £16,000 (you may qualify for Council Tax Reduction)
• you live alone (you can get a 25% discount)
• you are exempt, for example, if you are a full-time student

Gas and electricity bills

If you cannot pay your gas or electricity bill, contact your supplier, Citizens Advice or Money Matters Advice Service.

Help is also available from the Home Energy Scotland helpline 0800 808 2282. Home Energy Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government, provides clear and impartial advice to help Scots make their homes cheaper to heat. The Home Energy Scotland helpline is the gateway to a range of additional services available in South Lanarkshire.

If you are older or on certain benefits, you may also get help with winter heating costs. See the Citizens Advice Guide for more information.

Insurance

If you are a South Lanarkshire Council tenant, your building insurance is included with your rent. You may still want contents insurance to protect your belongings if there is a break-in, fire or flood.

Transport

You may be able to get cheaper or free travel:

• young people can use a National Entitlement Card (Young Scot) for discounted travel after age 16.
• people aged 60 and over in Scotland can apply for free bus travel
• free school transport is usually only available if your child goes to their catchment school