Money Matters Advice Service

If you were not born in the UK and are living in Scotland, immigration advice and benefit entitlement can be very confusing. The following websites may help:   

• Biometric residence permits (BRPs)
• Ethnic Minority Law Centre
• EU Settlement Scheme
• EU settlement scheme (late applications)
• Right of Abode
• Visa and Immigration Scotland

Please contact us using the contact details shown on this page if you require any further information. We can advise on available options and if necessary, refer you on for more specialist advice.

There are various benefits and support available for students.

The following websites may help:

• Council Tax student discount or exemption
• Education Maintenance Grants
• Help with health costs in Scotland
• Universal Credit

Please contact us using the contact details shown on this page if you need any advice or help.

If you have an enquiry on student income or a student loan, you should contact your college or university directly.

Universal Credit supports those on a low income (in or out of work) and replaces the benefits listed below (along with Tax Credits) with a single monthly payment. If you make a claim for Universal Credit and you are in receipt of any of the benefits below, these will stop:

• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Housing Benefit
• Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits

Universal Credit is claimed online. You can also check your entitlement online.

What you will need to make your claim:

• your own email address and mobile number (if claiming as a couple, this will be required for each applicant)
• your landlord’s name and address and the amount of rent you pay
• your Bank, Building Society or Credit Union account details (for your payment to be made)
• details of anyone who lives with you
• childcare provider’s details and the amount you pay (if relevant)
• details of any savings or investments
• details of any wage or other income you receive
• proof of ID

What happens when you apply:

• payment will be made 5 weeks after you submit your claim
• for late applicants, you can ask for your claim to be backdated up to one month. This must be requested the week before your payment is due
• you will receive a telephone or face to face appointment with your local Jobcentre to verify your ID, income and Housing Costs
• you will receive a telephone or face to face appointment with your work coach to agree your claimant commitment which you must accept for the benefit to be awarded
• you can access an advance payment when you claim, which is up to one month of your expected award. This is a loan and payable via deductions over 48 months
• payments are monthly but you can request these to be twice monthly
• you can ask Universal Credit to pay your rent directly to your landlord

What you must do to maintain payments:

• report any changes in circumstances as they happen
• check your journal regularly
• attend all appointments arranged (to avoid being sanctioned)
• complete any requested actions within the timescale given
• report any errors in your payment as soon as possible

South Lanarkshire residents must make a separate claim for Council Tax Reduction. If you have a spare room or you have been affected by the Benefit Cap, you can also apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment .

Universal Credit can be complex. If you need help with calculating entitlement, making a claim, managing your account or challenging a decision, please contact us using the contact details shown on this page.

Alternatively, you can call the Universal Credit Service Centre on 0800 328 5644.