Bute Advice Centre

27/08/2026

If you're due a payment on Monday 31 August, you will usually receive it by the end of Friday 28 August because of the bank holiday.

Best Start Foods payments are not affected.

All other payment dates will stay the same.

Our phone lines and web-chat will be open as usual on Monday 31 August.

18/08/2026

We’ll be at ARC Addictions Recovery Cafe on Wednesday 19 August 2026

💬 Our Welfare Rights Advisers will be there and ready to offer free, confidential advice.

If you’re dealing with money worries, have questions about benefits or housing, or aren’t sure what support is available, come and have a chat 🤝

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you come along.

📍 No appointment required. Just pop in and talk things through.

14/08/2026

💷 Need help with an unexpected expense?

The Scottish Welfare Fund may be able to help if you’re on a low income and facing an emergency where there is a serious risk to your health, safety or wellbeing.

You may be able to apply for:

✔️ Crisis Grants – for emergencies where you have no other way to meet essential costs, such as food, heating or toiletries
✔️ Community Care Grants – to help you establish or maintain a settled home in certain circumstances

These grants do not have to be paid back.

If you’re not sure whether you could qualify, contact Bute Advice Centre for free, confidential advice and support.

04/08/2026

We are delighted to be joining Fyne Homes and Argyll Community Housing Association - ACHA Group for this community event. Our Welfare Rights Adviser will also be there throughout the session, ready to offer free, confidential advice and support if you need it.

Fyne Homes & ACHA are teaming up to host a FREE Tenants Café! ☕
Whether you have questions about your tenancy or simply fancy a cuppa & some company, everyone is welcome 💫

🗓️5th August
⏰11am - 1pm
📍11 Victoria St, Rothesay

Building stronger communities together💚💙

30/07/2026

🫶 Please see this helpful update from Social Security Scotland about Carer Support Payment and temporary breaks from caring.

If you have any questions about your entitlement, contact Bute Advice Centre for free, confidential advice and support.

Taking a break doesn't mean losing your support 💚

If you're a carer in Scotland, you can take a temporary break from caring — for a holiday, a hospital stay, or other reasons — and continue to receive your carer benefits. It doesn't matter how long you've been in your caring role.

Carer Support Payment can continue for up to 4 weeks during a temporary break from caring for any reason, and up to 12 weeks if a hospital stay is involved within any 6-month period.

23/07/2026

💙 Yesterday, we joined our colleagues at the ARC Addictions Recovery Cafe, where our Welfare Rights Advisers were available to answer questions and provide free advice and support.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by and speak with us. We hope you found the information helpful, and we look forward to seeing you again at a future session.

21/07/2026

☕ Pop in for a chat with our Welfare Rights Advisers at ARC Addictions Recovery Cafe on Wednesday 22 July 2026

If you'd like to ask a question, explore your options, or simply find out what support is available, we'd be pleased to see you.

💙 Sometimes it helps to talk things through.

Our Welfare Rights Advisers will be there to offer free, confidential advice on benefits, money worries, housing, and other practical matters.

💬 A safe space to talk and explore your options
🤝 No appointment required

17/07/2026

🏡 Worried about your Council Tax bill?

You may be entitled to a Council Tax Reduction, discount or exemption, depending on your circumstances.

You may be eligible if you:
✔️ are on a low income, including if you receive certain benefits
✔️ live alone
✔️ are a student or live with students
✔️ have a disability and your home has been adapted to meet your needs
✔️ have other qualifying circumstances

Every situation is different, so don’t assume you won’t qualify.

📞 If you’re not sure what help you may be entitled to, contact Bute Advice Centre. We offer free, confidential advice across Argyll and Bute and can help you check your entitlement and apply for the support available.

10/07/2026

💼 Starting a new job? You may be able to get a Job Start Payment.

Starting work can bring extra costs before your first payday – such as travel, work clothes, lunches or childcare.

If you’re aged 16 to 24 (or up to 25 if you’re a care leaver) and live in Scotland, you may be eligible for a one-off Job Start Payment (previously Job Grant).

To qualify, you must usually:
✔️ have been offered a paid job and expect to work at least 12 hours a week
✔️ have been out of paid work and receiving a qualifying benefit for at least 6 months on the date you got the job offer
✔️ apply within 6 months of receiving your job offer

ℹ️ For more information and to apply, visit:
https://www.mygov.scot/job-start-payment

📞 Need help with your application? Contact Bute Advice Centre for free, confidential advice. We can help you check your entitlement and support you with your application.

02/07/2026

🎒 Free School Meals & School Clothing Grant 2026/27

Getting ready for the new school year?

Applications for the School Clothing Grant open on Thursday 2 July 2026.

Eligible families may receive:

👕 £120 per primary school child
👕 £150 per secondary school child

🍽️ Applications for Free School Meals can be made at any time throughout the year.

For more information and to apply, visit:
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/council-tax-and-benefits/benefits-and-grants/free-school-meals-and-clothing-grant

If you'd like help checking whether you're eligible or completing an application, please get in touch with Bute Advice Centre for free, confidential advice and support.💙