Get advice

Getting advice in BSL

Citizens Advice Bureaux use ContactSCOTLAND-BSL. This is a free interpretation service.

You can call an interpreter at ContactSCOTLAND directly, who will then speak to the bureau adviser, and act as an intermediary for you.

More information about how the Video Relay Interpreting Service works can be found on the Contact SCOTLAND-BSL website.

Members of the armed services, veterans and their families

Get advice from the Armed Services Advice Project (ASAP) if you are:

• serving or a veteran - in the Armed Forces, Regular or Reserve
• a member of the Merchant Navy who served in a commercial vessel in support of legally defined UK military operations
• a family member

You can get advice about issues like housing, benefits and debt. 

To get in touch you can:

• call the Armed Services Advice Project on 0808 800 1007
• ask us to call you - use the Get Advice from ASAP form to send us your contact details, and a trained adviser will phone you
• visit your local CAB

Find out more about advice for members of the armed services on the ASAP website.

Defined contribution pensions

Pension Wise is a free and impartial government service about the different ways you can take money from your pension. The service is only for people 50 years old or over with a defined contribution pension.

You can book an appointment to speak to someone over the phone or in person. 

For more information visit the Pension Wise website or phone 0800 138 3944 (or +44 20 3733 3495 if you’re outside the UK) to book an appointment.

You can also read our online advice on pensions, including the state pension.

EU citizens who need support to apply for Settled Status

EU Citizens Support is our new service for EU citizens who need extra support to apply for Settled Status. 

You might need more help if you:

• have difficulty accessing an android mobile phone
• have limited access to the internet
• find it difficult to get the evidence you need to apply
• are at greater risk due to personal circumstances
• have specific immigration or residency issues

Find out how to get help from the EU Citizens Support Service. 

Help to claim Universal Credit 

We can help if you're claiming Universal Credit for the first time.

Find out more about help to claim Universal Credit. 

Kinship care

If you're looking after a child because their parents can't you might be a kinship carer. Many aunts, uncles, grandparents and family friends are providing kinship care across Scotland. You might be entitled to extra support. Find out more about kinship care. 

Advisers at every Scottish bureau can provide detailed advice on kinship care.

If you can’t get to your local bureau, call the confidential Kinship Care Advice Service for Scotland:

Calls are free from landlines and most mobiles. Outside of operating times, please leave your contact details and a short message and you will be contacted within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.

Money advice 

If you’re struggling to make your money last or are worried about how you’ll pay your bills, you can get advice from the Money Talk Team to help ensure you are receiving all the money you're entitled to.

The advisers will check whether you’re getting as much income as you possibly could and find ways that you could pay out less each month.

If you have any money worries, or want to find out if you are missing out on money you're entitled to, the adviser will talk you through your options and help you find the best way forward.

To get free advice from the Money Talk Team call 0800 085 7145, or contact your local bureau. 

You can find more information on the Money Talk Team website.

NHS complaints in Scotland

You can contact the Patient Advice and Support Service (PASS) for advice and support on 0800 917 2127.

Lines are open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Get more help with NHS complaints on the PASS website. 

Online scams

If you think you may be at risk, or have already lost money due to an online scam - get specialist advice using our web chat. 

Use the Scams Action webchat on the Citizens Advice Scotland website.