FIFERS struggling with living costs are being encouraged to 'get help' and check their benefits entitlement.

A free and confidential benefits tracker from Fife Council can help people to find out what extra money they might be able to access.

There's also help available for those who aren't eligible to claim.

Councillor Linda Erskine, spokesperson for Communities and Leisure Services, encouraged everyone, even those who have tried before, to have a look at the site. She said: “I want to remind people that there’s a lot of support available to help with the cost of living crisis.

"The #GetHelpFife site has proven invaluable to many people but there are still many more people out there not claiming all the support they are entitled too.

"There may also be some who felt they didn’t need this support when our campaign was launched last year but who now find themselves in different circumstances.

"I’d especially like to encourage them to try out the online Fife Benefits Checker, even if they’ve tried before.

"There have been some changes to income limits, particularly for Universal Credit, so where you may not have qualified for benefits previously you could now be eligible.

"The take up of these benefits is vitally important because often they open up access to a lot of other support."

Anyone who cannot access the website, our.fife.scot/gethelp, can call the council's community support line on 0800 952 0330.

The site contains information from a variety of community partners, community groups, national organisations and other government bodies.

It can be searched by topic, for example food or health, or you can search by area and see what’s available right on your doorstep.

There’s also an interactive map where you can click to highlight the resources in your area whether that’s community job clubs, warm spaces venues, or places where you can get help with food.

Some of the universal support available can help with free bus travel for under 21s, Café Inc lunch clubs, community fridges and pantries,  free period products, money advice, or advice on fuel and energy costs.

Councillor Erskine concluded by saying: “The cost of living crisis has not gone away, if anything, it’s now more critical than before.

"We can’t solve all the problems that the cost of living crisis brings but we can to try to make sure that if folk turn to us for support or advice, they’ll get the help they need."