Financial support

Family and Household support

Family and Household support can help if you have a problem with your health and well-being, parenting, neighbour disputes, welfare benefits and housing. They can help you get in touch with the right people and make it much easier for you to access a whole range of services in the Council and across the community. There are four teams in Edinburgh. You can refer yourself or also be referred by someone else who is supporting you, like your GP, a social worker or a family member.

• South East 0131 529 5123
• South West 0131 469 5150
• North East 0131 529 7168
• North West 0131 529 5014

For more information visit the Family and Household Support webpage

Tenant Hardship Fund 

Many people struggle with rising costs, if you're having difficulties paying your rent contact the Tenant Hardship Fund. They can help by 

• referring you for money and debt advice 
• helping you to apply for benefits and funding to help pay rent 
• setting up a repayment plan

A Tenant Hardship Fund has been set up to help tenants, including those who cannot access benefits. If you’re struggling to pay your rent, speak to your housing officer or contact 

tenanthardshipfund@edinburgh.gov.uk 

Temporary accommodation and homelessness

If you are a family that is homeless or living in temporary accommodation in the City of Edinburgh, the Council has some funding to support children and young people to access education and support their wellbeing. Support can include help with digital devices, school meals, bus passes, counselling for parents and carers and access to sanitary products at home. For support please speak to your child's headteacher for primary-aged children or their guidance teacher for high school-aged children.

Fresh Start

Fresh Start is an Edinburgh-based charity helping people who have been homeless get established in their new homes. Working in partnership with volunteers and organisations from a broad section of the community, they deliver a range of services that provide the practical and social support that helps people resettle successfully. They can help with starter packs of everyday household goods, and larger appliances such as cookers, washing machines or fridge freezers, If you are in the first twelve weeks of your tenancy, then their Hit Squad Service could help to decorate up to two rooms. They also have a shop and pantry to help with the cost of food and household items, cooking classes or gardening spaces. For more information visit the Fresh Start website 

Edinburgh Fire Fund

This is a dedicated fund that can help residents in Edinburgh recover from the impact of a fire. Applicants must be in receipt of income-related benefits or earn less than a living wage and not have a valid house contents insurance policy. The fund can help to replace household contents, essential belongings and clothing damaged or destroyed by fire or smoke damage. the application must be completed online and verified by a professional from a recognised third party e.g. housing officer, support worker etc. The fund is not designed for crisis funding. For more information or to apply, visit the Edinburgh Fire Fund website.