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Site updated:
22 March 2010
Scotland
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- In Scotland
Your money
Benefits
Frequently asked questions about benefits
What are tax credits and how can I get them?
I have just lost my job. What benefits am I entitled to?
I am pregnant and on benefits. What help can I get for my baby and myself?
I have just left my home and all my belongings to escape my violent partner. Can I get any financial help?
My neighbour has just come out of hospital. He's retired and seems to be finding it difficult to cope. Is there any help available for him?
I am on Income Support and would like to go back to work, but I'm worried about being able to make ends meet if I come off benefits. Can I get any extra help towards living expenses?
I receive a pension and have heard that I may be entitled to some other benefits. Where can I get more information?
My wife has recently died. I have three children and have had to give up work. Can we get any benefits?
I've recently had a baby and have heard that the government has set up a trust fund for children. What are they, and how do I claim?
Can I carry on getting my benefits if I go to live abroad?
What benefits can workers get if they come to the UK from abroad?
I am too ill to go to work. Can I get any benefits?
What benefits can I get?
Help for people on a low income - Income Support
Help for people on a low income - the Social Fund
Help with health, education and legal costs
Benefits and tax credits for people in work
Benefits for families and children
Benefits and concessions for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families
Benefits for people looking for work
Benefits for people who are sick or disabled
Employment and Support Allowance
Benefits for people over sixty
Young people and benefits
Benefits and bereavement
Help with your Council Tax – Council Tax Benefit
Help with your rent – Housing Benefit
National insurance – contributions and benefits
Payment of benefits and tax credits
Problems with benefits and tax credits
Benefits fact sheets
Employment
Frequently asked questions about employment
Am I entitled to paid holiday?
Am I entitled to have the Bank holiday off work?
My partner is due to have a baby very soon. Am I entitled to any time off work? Will I get paid?
Can my employer force me to give back an overpayment of wages?
Does my employer need to give me a certain period of notice before he dismisses me?
Can my employer dismiss me because I am pregnant?
I think I am being discriminated against at work because I am a woman. What can I do?
What can I do about being victimised after I complained about being discriminated against at work?
I feel I am being racially discriminated against at work. What can I do?
Is there any special protection in the workplace for disabled people?
I think I'm being treated unfairly because of my religion, is this legal?
I'm being harassed at work because my colleagues think I’m gay. What can I do?
My contract at work says I have to retire at 60. Can they make me retire?
I’ve just applied for a job and the form asks for my date of birth. Do I have to give it? I’m afraid the company won’t look at my application if they realise how old I am.
I am under a lot of stress at work, does my employer have to do anything about this?
When I was younger I got into trouble with the police. I'm applying for jobs now and I'm worried my conviction will stop me getting work. Do I have to tell employers about my criminal record?
Self-employment: checklist
Government employment schemes
Basic rights at work
Overseas workers in the UK – agriculture and food processing
Monitoring at work
Contracts of employment
Rights to pay
Off work because of sickness
Parental rights at work
Maternity leave
Age discrimination at work
Young people and employment
Resolving disputes at work
Resolving disputes at work – dealing with grievances
Resolving disputes at work – disciplinary and dismissal action
Dismissal
Dismissal and benefits
Redundancy
When can your employer make you redundant
Redundancy – procedures your employer must follow
Redundancy pay
Your situation after redundancy
Bank and public holidays
Holidays and holiday pay
Employment fact sheets
Tax
Frequently asked questions about tax
Do I need to send in a tax return? How do I go about this?
Do I still have to pay tax now that I am over 65?
Terms used in tax information
Income tax
Income tax rates
Income tax allowances and amounts
Tax-free and taxable income
Tax reliefs
Self assessment
Tax returns
Tax refunds
The Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system
Tax codes
Pay As You Earn: common problems
Benefits in kind
Income tax and pensioners
Help with tax problems
Inheritance tax
Council tax
Non Domestic Rates – A Guide
Money management
Frequently asked questions about credit and debt
My debts are getting out of control and I can’t possibly pay them all. What can I do?
I have been refused credit to buy a new washing machine. What can I do?
Can sheriff officers come into my house and take my possessions to pay off my debt?
I am going to live on my own for the first time and am worried about how to manage my budget. What can I do to prevent getting into debt?
I think someone may be using my credit card details without my knowledge. What can I do about it?
A bank that I do not normally deal with has contacted me to chase an outstanding debt. I think I may be a victim of identity theft. What should I do?
Financial healthcheck
Debt test
Credit and debt fact sheets
Mortgage problems
Managing your mortgage
How to sort out your mortgage problems
Cutting down your monthly mortgage costs
Dealing with your mortgage arrears
Dealing with your mortgage lender
Help with mortgage costs if you are not working
Lender is taking legal action for repossession and eviction
Selling the property or handing back the keys
Schemes to provide support to homeowners in danger of losing their homes
Help with debt
Budgeting
How to work out your budget
How to spend less
How to increase your income
Budgeting tool
How to use the budgeting tool
Budgeting tool guidelines
Compose Budget Planner
Dealing with priority debts
What options are there for dealing with debt
How to sort out your debts
How to deal with creditors of non-priority debts
Borrowing money
Types of borrowing
Plastic cards
Loans
Personal loans
Home credit (Doorstep loans)
Social Fund loans
Credit Union loans
Pay day loans
Student loans and Career Development Loans
Loan sharks
Credit sale
Hire purchase and Conditional sale
Bank overdrafts
Mortgages and secured loans
Mail order catalogues
Pawnbrokers
Getting the best credit deal
How lenders decide whether to give you credit
Your rights when you borrow money
Credit cards
How credit cards work
Choosing and applying for a credit card
The costs and charges of credit cards
Problems with credit cards
Borrowing fact sheets
Top tips for borrowing
Banking
Getting a bank account
How bank accounts work
Joint bank accounts
Cheques
Banking – security and fraud
Your bank goes out of business
Complaints about banks and building societies
Sample letters to creditors
Guidelines for using the letter templates
Savings
About savings
Why do I need to save?
Can I afford to save and how much?
What's the best way to save
Ways to save
Bank and building society savings accounts
Individual Savings Accounts (ISAs)
Investing in the stockmarket
Savings bonds
Your family
Family and personal issues
Child support
Parent's guide to money
Domestic violence
Community care
Financial support for severely disabled people - the Independent Living Funds
Frequently asked questions about family matters
My partner has been violent to myself and my children and we need to get away. What can we do?
Can I change my name back to my maiden name, or to any other name?
My partner and I have separated and our children are staying with her. What rights do I have to see them?
I am a transsexual person. Can I be legally recognised in my acquired gender, and how do I go about this?
At what age can I legally drink alcohol and smoke?
How do I go about getting a divorce?
I am in a same-sex relationship. Are there any advantages for us to register as civil partners?
My girlfriend and I have been together for eight years. She's got two children. We've been talking about becoming civil partners. What would be my legal position regarding the children?
Children who need local authority services
Children who are looked after by the local authority
Birth certificates
Fostering
Kinship care
Changing your name
Living together and marriage: legal differences
Living together and civil partnership: legal differences
Registering a civil partnership
Getting married
Ending a relationship when you're living together
Ending a marriage
Ending a civil partnership
It's your decision - The Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act
Protection of adults at risk of harm
Wills
What to do after a death in Scotland
Young people and family
Family fact sheets
Health
Frequently asked questions about health
Can I complain about my doctor (GP)?
Can I change my doctor (GP)?
Can I refuse medical treatment?
I am coming to the UK from abroad, can I get free NHS treatment?
How can I find an NHS dentist?
Where can I find information about what to do about 'swine flu?'
What health care can I get on the NHS?
Easy-to-read guide about your health
NHS patients' rights
Healthcare for people injured in the Armed Forces and veterans
Going abroad for dental care
NHS complaints
Young people - health and personal
NHS charges for people from abroad
Help with health costs
A quick guide to help with health costs (HCS2)
Health fact sheets
Home and neighbourhood
Finding accommodation
Tenancy agreements
Getting repairs done while renting
Housing options for people leaving the Armed Forces, veterans and their families
Housing options for older people
Care homes
Equity release – raising money from your home
Right to Repair
Frequently asked questions about housing
I own my home but have fallen behind with my mortgage payments. I’ve heard about companies that can clear your debts, buy your home and then rent it back to you but I want to know more. Can you help?
I have received a claim for possession from the Sheriff Court because I have not paid my rent. What can I do?
My landlord will not return my deposit. What can I do?
I had to leave my last home and now I have nowhere to live. Do the local council have to re-house me?
I have been on the waiting list for a council house for ages. What can I do to speed things up?
The house I rent is very damp. I told the landlord but she has not done anything about it. What else can I do?
I rent my flat privately and the landlord wants to increase the rent. Can he do this?
I want to take out a mortgage to buy a house. What do I need to know?
I have an endowment mortgage and have been told that there won't be enough money at the end of the mortgage term to pay for the house. What can I do?
Young people and housing
Renting from a public sector landlord
Renting from a private landlord
Common problems with renting
Private landlord registration in Scotland
New rights for private sector tenants
Housing grants and loans
Care and Repair
Buying a home
Selling a home
Problems with buying and selling a home
Your right to buy your home
Neighbour disputes
Sound advice on noise - don't suffer in silence
Antisocial behaviour
Problems in your local environment
Animals and pets
Free personal and nursing care
Crofting
A guide to the planning system in Scotland
Education
Frequently asked questions about education
Can I get help to go on to college after my Standard Grades?
I am a wheelchair user planning to go to college when I leave school what do I need to do?
Can I educate my child at home?
I have got a letter for school saying my daughter is going to be excluded. What can I do?
My child is being bullied at school. What can I do?
I have just found out that my son is autistic. Can he continue to go to our local primary school?
Further and higher education - courses available at Scottish colleges and universities
Types of school
Pre-school education
Education choices from 5 to 16
National Qualifications: a quick guide
The parents' guide to additional support for learning
Appeals: how the system works
Problems at school
Help with school costs
Helping you meet the costs of learning
A Guide to Student Support - higher education
The Hardship Fund
Education: organisations which give information and advice
Adult education: organisations which give information and advice
Help with training and qualifications for people leaving the Armed Forces and veterans
Your daily life
Communications
Frequently asked questions about communications
I’m always getting phone calls from people I don’t know. How can I stop them?
I want to buy a mobile phone but am very confused by all the different information I have read. Can you help?
I am going to university soon and I want to take my television with me. Do I need a separate licence?
My elderly mother says she can no longer afford her TV licence or her phone bill. Can she get any help?
I've heard I have to switch my TV over to digital. When do I have to do this by, and how do I do it? Will there be any help available?
Phone services
Mobile phones
Problems with post
Television licences
Complaints about the press
Using the law to protect your information
Your right to know
Internet fact sheets
Consumer affairs
Frequently asked questions about consumer affairs
How can a pre-paid card help me?
Do shops have to give refunds for returned goods?
Do I have to accept a credit note for goods returned to a shop?
Someone bought me a Christmas present I don't want. Can I take it back to the shop where it was bought and get my money back?
I bought something in the sales that I want to take back, what rights do I have?
Do I have to accept goods that are not exactly what I ordered?
Can I get a deposit back if I decide to cancel the service/goods I ordered?
A builder I hired is taking a very long time to complete the work - is there any way that I can make him finish the job?
The item I have bought has a guarantee - what exactly does this cover?
I bought an item in a sale which is faulty - can I ask for my money back?
I have been sold a faulty car but the dealer refuses to discuss the matter - what could I do next?
I bought an item from a private advertisement in a newspaper but it is faulty - what rights do I have?
I've had a personal letter telling me that I've won a prize in a lottery. How can I find out whether it's genuine or not?
Young people - money and consumer rights
Licences and other types of official permission
Buying goods - your rights
Scams
Saving for Christmas
Buying on internet auction sites
Buying secondhand vehicles
Buying services - your rights
Keeping lost, found and uncollected goods
Complaints about charities
Sending money overseas
Pensions
Pension and compensation schemes for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families
Insurance
Water supply
Consumer fact sheets
Gas and electricity
Frequently asked questions about gas and electricity
How can I save money on fuel bills?
I find it difficult to pay my fuel bills. Is any help available?
Can my fuel supplier disconnect me?
I'm moving home, how do I change my fuel supply over?
How can I make a complaint about my fuel supplier?
Gas supply
Electricity supply
Fuel costs and saving money
Gas and electricity fact sheets
Travel
Frequently asked questions about travel
When we go on our family holiday abroad, how many passports will we need?
Do I need a passport when I travel within the UK?
How much duty-free can we bring back with us from holiday?
Can I use my mobile phone in the car?
If my train is late what compensation can I get?
Air travel
Problems with holidays
Timeshare and holiday clubs
Travel abroad
Health advice for travellers
Young people - travel and transport
Public transport
Transport options for disabled people
Driving licences
Driving tests
Traffic accidents
London congestion charge
Access to the countryside
Travel fact sheets
Your rights
Discrimination
Frequently asked questions about discrimination
I think I am being discriminated against at work because I am a woman. What can I do?
What can I do about being victimised after I complained about being discriminated against at work?
My contract at work says I have to retire at 60. Can they make me retire?
I've just applied for a job and the form asks for my date of birth. Do I have to give it? I'm afraid the company won't look at my application if they realise how old I am.
I'm a wheelchair user and my local library is really unhelpful about helping me to get books from the shelves. Can I do something about this?
I feel I am being racially discriminated against at work. What can I do?
I think I'm being treated unfairly because of my religion, is this legal?
I'm being harassed at work because my colleagues think I'm gay. What can I do?
Is there any special protection in the workplace for disabled people?
Taking action about race discrimination
Discrimination because of religion or belief
Racially and religiously motivated attacks
Taking action about sex discrimination
Discrimination because of sexuality
Disability discrimination
Age discrimination at work
Discrimination fact sheets
Civil rights
Frequently asked questions about civil rights
My father has been living abroad for ten years and has just asked me if he can still vote in UK elections.
My mother is in hospital and will be there during the election. She's asked me if I can arrange a proxy vote for her
My local council made a mess of my housing benefit claim, although I did get the money in the end. Someone told me that there is an ombudsman who can help me complain about how my claim was handled
My grandmother is going to be 100 in a couple of months and I want to be sure she gets a message from the Queen. How do I go about it?
I think I am being discriminated against at work because I am a woman. What can I do?
I'm a wheelchair user and my local library is really unhelpful about helping me to get books from the shelves. Can I do something about this?
I feel I am being racially discriminated against at work. What can I do?
If I vote in the Scottish Parliament elections does this prevent me from voting in the UK general election?
I think I'm being treated unfairly because of my religion, is this legal?
The European Union
Human rights
Voting procedures
Government in Wales
Taking action about race discrimination
Discrimination because of religion or belief
Racially and religiously motivated attacks
Taking action about sex discrimination
Discrimination because of sexuality
Disability discrimination
How to use an ombudsman or commissioner in Scotland
Messages from the Queen
Nominations for the honours list
Young people's rights
The Scottish Parliament
How do I submit a petition to the Scottish Parliament?
Local government services
Complaining about the misconduct of Councillors and Members of Devolved Public Bodies
Immigration
Frequently asked questions about immigration
I'm a British citizen, and I want to marry my girlfriend who is from abroad and in the UK on a student visa. Do we need to do anything special about her status in this country?
I came to the UK on a visitor's visa and would like to stay here to do a degree. Will I be allowed to do this?
My mother is not a UK citizen and lives abroad. She lives alone and is getting quite frail and elderly. I've supported her for many years. Can I bring her to live with me in the UK?
My uncle lives in a country where there is a lot of political unrest and violence. He says he's getting afraid to leave the house, and wonders if he could come to the UK for a while until things calm down a bit
Help with immigration problems
Legal system
Frequently asked questions about legal matters
How can I claim money owed to me?
I need legal advice but I don't think I can afford it, is there anything I can do?
I've been called to serve on a jury, do I have to go?
Courts of law
Young people and the law
Jury service
Small claims in the sheriff court
Using a solicitor
Help with legal costs
Personal injuries
A business takes legal action against you to recover losses for theft
Police powers
Complaints about the police
A guide to the role of the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland
Information for prisoners and their families
Release from prison
Benefits: Bengali
Employment: Bengali
Tax: Bengali
Debt: Bengali
Family: Bengali
Health: Bengali
Housing: Bengali
Education: Bengali
Communications: Bengali
Consumer affairs: Bengali
Travel: Bengali
Discrimination: Bengali
Civil rights: Bengali
Immigration: Bengali
Legal system: Bengali
Benefits: Chinese
Employment: Chinese
Tax: Chinese
Debt: Chinese
Family: Chinese
Health: Chinese
Housing: Chinese
Education: Chinese
Communications: Chinese
Consumer affairs: Chinese
Travel: Chinese
Discriminiation: Chinese
Civil rights: Chinese
Immigration: Chinese
Legal system: Chinese
Employment: Czech
Employment: Estonian
Benefits: Gujarati
Employment: Gujarati
Tax: Gujarati
Debt: Gujarati
Family: Gujarati
Health: Gujarati
Housing: Gujarati
Education: Gujarati
Communications: Gujarati
Consumer affairs: Gujarati
Travel: Gujarati
Discrimination: Gujarati
Civil rights: Gujarati
Immigration: Gujarati
Legal system: Gujarati
Employment: Hungarian
Employment: Latvian
Employment: Lithuanian
Employment: Polish
Benefits: Punjabi
Employment: Punjabi
Tax: Punjabi
Debt: Punjabi
Family: Punjabi
Health: Punjabi
Housing: Punjabi
Education: Punjabi
Communications: Punjabi
Consumer affairs: Punjabi
Travel: Punjabi
Discrimination: Punjabi
Civil rights: Punjabi
Immigration: Punjabi
Legal system: Punjabi
Employment: Slovak
Employment: Slovenian
Benefits: Urdu
Employment: Urdu
Tax: Urdu
Debt: Urdu
Family: Urdu
Health: Urdu
Housing: Urdu
Education: Urdu
Communications: Urdu
Consumer affairs: Urdu
Travel: Urdu
Discrimination: Urdu
Civil rights: Urdu
Immigration: Urdu
Legal system: Urdu
