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Welfare and Benefits

Universal Credit

Universal Credit (UC) is a new benefit administered by Department for Work and Pensions and aims to make the welfare system simpler by replacing six benefits and tax credits with a single monthly payment.

If you receive Universal Credit then your award is likely to include an amount for housing costs. You will be expected to use this amount to pay your rent in full. If the amount you are awarded does not cover your full rent charge, you may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment(DHP) from Fife Council to help with the shortfall.

You can only apply for UC online. To apply for UC or to find out if you are eligible for this new benefit, visit the GOV.UK website.

Housing Benefit

If you are responsible for paying rent you may still be entitled to housing benefit. Your eligibility is assessed by Fife Council and is calculated by looking at any income you receive, any savings you have and the income and circumstances of any people who live with you.

If you require further information about Housing Benefit or if you wish to make an online application, visit Fife Council website.

If you already receive Housing Benefit and your entitlement is reduced due to the bedroom tax then you may be eligible for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) from Fife Council to help with the shortfall - you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment on line.

Money Advice

Making ends meet these days can be difficult and it is all too easy to get into debt. However, help is at hand from a number of services which can provide expert advice on budgeting and making sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. These include Citizens Advice & Rights Fife and the Money Advice Service.

Our Fife has an online benefits calculator which can also help you find out what benefits you can claim. The calculator is free to use and is anonymous.

Foodbanks

Foodbanks are non-profit organisations which receive publicly donated food which is sorted by volunteers and distributed as food parcels. There are a number of foodbanks operating in Fife and you can be referred by your Housing Officer, a social worker, doctor or health worker.

Scottish Welfare Fund

Community Care Grants and Crisis Grants are available through the Scottish Welfare Fund to help with the cost of setting up a home or staying in your home.

Service Update

2nd August 2024 - FHR Application Processing Issue

Due to an IT issue we are unable to provide customers with an update on their Application for Housing. New applications can be submitted during this time, however there may be a delay in them being assessed.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, however the team are working to resolve this issue and will provide a further update when available. 

November 2023 - Customer Survey

We want to hear from you! Fife Housing Register are running a customer survey from November 2023 to January 2024. We want to hear from applicants who have either completed their housing journey with us or are currently on our waiting list. Your answers could help us improve our service in the future. Please see the below link to the survey;

FHR SURVEY

June 2023 - The Fife Housing Register Team have moved base from New City House, Dunfermline to Brunton House, Cowdenbeath. Any Post being sent to the FHR Team should be sent to the following;

Fife Housing Register Team, Cowdenbeath Customer Service Centre, Brunton House, High Street, Cowdenbeath, KY4 9QU.

Alternatively you can;-

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