Provided by Mae Stewart, Editor UNISON Retired members Newsletter, Dundee, Perth and Angus. Please note that this is not definitive information about benefits but will provide a signpost as to where to get up to date information. Please check the sources first. UNISON Scotland can take no responsibility for information that may be outdated or inaccurate. The member's information excerpts this month were taken from the Pensioners Forum Newsletter, and the local Dundee magazine called Retired & Living in Dundee. My apology for any misquotes.

Issue 20 May/June 2008

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Members Information

The information listed below was provided by Age Concern Scotland. It may be useful to keep this to hand for any help or assistance you may need in the future. My apologies to Age Concern for any misquote.

Telephone information lines

Scottish Helpline for Older People 
The Scottish Helpline for Older People is a national information service which helps older people and those who care for or work with older people to find out information. They can answer your questions about community care, tax, pensions, benefits or any other issues. Available 10am-4pm Monday to Friday.   Telephone 0845 125 9732 (local call rates apply) Textphone 0845 226 5851

 Age Concern Freephone Information Line 
Freephone: 0800 00 99 66 (7am - 7pm, 7 days a week)  
or write to:   Age Concern, Freepost (SWB 30375)  ASHBURTON Devon TQ13 7ZZ

Age Concern produces over 40 comprehensive factsheets designed to answer many of the questions older people - or those advising them - may have. Phone for a free factsheet list. Factsheets available individually, or, together in a folder for an annual subscription. You can also download individual factsheets (PDF format) from this website.

Dementia Helpline (Alzheimer Scotland)
Freephone: 0808 808 3000 (24 hours) Confidential information and support for people with dementia and their families and carers.

Carers Scotland - Carers Line 
Freephone: 0808 808 7777   Information and support for people caring for relatives or friends.  
 
Citizens Advice Bureaux (Citizens Advice Scotland) 
Web site: http://www.cas.org.uk 
Separate telephone number for each bureau 
 
Scotland's largest independent advice network, offering advice on almost any subject, including debt, benefits, housing, legal matters, employment, immigration and consumer issues. To find your nearest bureau, search on the web site or look in the local phone book. Some offer advice by email, as well as by phone or at their offices. 
 
Relatives Association Scotland 
Helpline: 01786 478898 (24 hours) 

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Counsel and Care 
Advice line: 0845 300 7585 (10 am - 12.30 pm, 2 - 4 pm, local rate call) 
Fax: 020 7267 6877 
EMail: advice@counselandcare.org.uk 
 
Advice, information and factsheets for older people, their relatives and carers. Information on finding suitable residential accommodation, arranging care at home, benefits and sources of charitable help. 
  
Help the Aged - Seniorline 
Freephone: 0808 800 6565 (9 am - 4 pm, Monday - Friday) 
 
Advice and information for older people on benefits, residential and community care, housing options and adaptations, access to health and community services, details of local agencies offering practical help. 
  
Support group for relatives and friends of adults in nursing and residential homes, long stay hospitals and sheltered housing. 
 
RNID 
19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL 
Information Line: 0808 808 0123 (freephone) 
Textphone: 0808 808 9000 (freephone) 
Fax: 020 7296 8199  
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk 
Web: http://www.rnid.org.uk 
 
RNID Information Line offers free information on a range of subjects including employment, equipment, legislation, benefits and many issues relating to deafness and hearing loss. Please include your full postal address as it is often only possible to send the literature through the post. You can also download information from their website. 
 
Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline 
Freephone: 0800 027 1234 (10am - 10 pm, 7 days a week) 
Web site: http://www.scottishwomensaid.co.uk 
 
Information and support for abused women and their children. Can also refer people to local groups, whose contact numbers are also on the web site. 

Mae Stewart

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