Politics: Cost of living support is there to assist people
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Many people, for the first time in their lives, are experiencing the kind of financial hardship that many from working class backgrounds have endured for much of their lives.
To a new demographic of people, the UK’s cost of living crisis has laid bare the harsh reality of what it is like living month to month, week to week, or for some, day to day.
The tragedy of the UK’s declining economy, and Scotland being confined within it has had me truly reflecting on what I can do as a parliamentarian to help anyone living in Banffshire and Buchan Coast.
My office team and I have already been supporting people with foodbank referrals who literally have no food in their homes. Cupboards empty, fridge lain bare, every penny of change has already been extracted from every cavern of the sofa.
This is happening far too regularly now, and it makes me wish that people wouldn’t wait before seeking support from me to find out what’s out there.
Much of my work now will be about being proactive, rather than reactive, to support you and as many others as possible to minimise the financial hardship so many of us are, or are going to, experience.
I’m currently in the process of compiling and publishing a comprehensive mini booklet that will be delivered to every household across Banffshire and Buchan Coast with the combined effort of Royal Mail and volunteers willing to deliver these door-to-door.
The mini booklet: A Cost-of-Living Support Guide, will outline the financial support that is available for children, families, individuals, low-income households, disabled people and the elderly in the form of grants and welfare support.
I must highlight – there are so many people who are missing out on hundreds of pounds a month because they either don’t realise what’s available to them or they feel they aren’t as ‘deserving’ as others. Are you one of them?
I cannot stress enough that grants and welfare are an absolute entitlement. They are available for a reason, and if you are entitled to the support, take it.
For example, the new Scottish Adult Disability Payment and Scottish Child Disability Payment, which is based on a system of dignity, fairness, and respect, is available to apply for anyone struggling with the day-to-day impacts of a disability.
This includes mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and neurodiverse conditions such as ADHD and Autism. It also includes invisible disabilities such as fibromyalgia, which has been traditionally overlooked by some. Not anymore though.
This payment is not income-based so you are just as entitled to it if you work full-time as you are if you are currently job seeking or unable to work.
If you are on Universal Credit (UC), claiming Scottish Child Disability Payment for your child could mean you will also receive an additional disabled child uplift to your UC payments as well.
When we mention disability, it should be used as an umbrella term for any condition, mental or physical, that impacts your ability to carry out day-to-day tasks unhindered. If a condition has this impact on you in any way – consider applying for the payment. It could be life changing.
Please keep a lookout for the mini booklet in the coming months. In the interim, I remain on hand to help anyone.
Contact me for information or speak with a member of my team. Email: Karen.Adam.MSP@Parliament.scot or phone: 07826548813.
For businesses out there, there may also be financial grants or support available to you too. I work hand-in-hand with dozens of local organisations and businesses across the constituency.
I have the facilities to compile a bespoke document that outlines the funding opportunities that organisations and businesses in various sectors in the constituency can apply for.
Since being elected as your MSP in 2021, my ethos has always been “Here to help”. For me, during this uncertain time, that value is more pertinent than ever.
My last plea to you is this – if you have any shred of uncertainty regarding the financial support you may be entitled to, even on the "off chance", it can’t hurt to at least reach out to me to see if I can help.
