Covid-19 Helplines and Websites

Please find below a list of helpline numbers and websites where you can find information and support in relation to the outbreak of Covid-19.

As the situation is moving so rapidly, we will try to keep these updated as and when new information is available.

Please be aware, however, that when the Government makes an announcement, it can takes a few days for this to be actioned within the relevant departments and organisations.

DEDICATED NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT HELPLINES AND RESOURCES

NO SYMPTOMS BUT LOOKING FOR GENERAL ADVICE (SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT)
• Scottish Government helpline: 0800 028 2816. Open daily from 8am – 10pm
• www.nhsinform.scot

SHIELDING
For those being asked to shield more health reasons, support and advice can be found:
• North Ayrshire Residents
Tel: 01294 310 000
Email: contactus@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
• South Ayrshire Residents
Helpline: 01292 616 101
Email: c19.CommunitySupport@south-ayrshire.gov.uk

GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
• Online advice on managing the impact of Covid-19 on their child’s learning and family life: www.parentclub.scot
• North Ayrshire Council – www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/Education-learning-Coronavirus-COVID-19-updates.aspx
• South Ayrshire Council – https://beta.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/article/19485/Schools-and-early-years-centres

COMMUNITY SUPPORT
• South Ayrshire Lifeline Support – For help with food pack deliveries, prescriptions, hearing aid batteries, befriending
www.southayrshirelifeline.org
Tel: 0800 432 0510

• North Ayrshire Community Hubs – information on services, Foodbank distribution and prescription delivery
https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/Locality-community-support-hubs-now-live.aspx

BUSINESS OWNERS
• TAX CONCERNS (UK GOVERNMENT)
HMRC helpline: 0800 0159 559. Open Monday to Friday 8am – 8pm, Saturday 8am – 4pm

• SCOTTISH BUSINESS OWNERS (SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT)
Scottish Enterprise helpline: 0300 303 0660. Open Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:30pm

North Ayrshire
Business Gateway North Ayrshire: 01294 507 509
Business Grants North Ayrshire: 01294 310121
South Ayrshire
Business Gateway South Ayrshire: 01292 427 551

• RATES RELIEF AND GRANTS for non-domestic properties, including businesses
https://www.mygov.scot/non-domestic-rates-coronavirus/
• SMALL BUSINESS SELF-EMPLOYED ADVICE HUB
https://scvo.org/support/coronavirus/funding/for-organisations/third-sector-resilience-fund
• Guidance for employees, employers and businesses
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

• SELF-EMPLOYED GUIDANCE
www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-agrant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme;

The Institute of Chartered Accountants also have a lot of very useful information for business: https://www.icaew.com/insights/coronavirus/uk-practical-business-advice-covid-19

ACAS also has useful information from employers and employees:
https://www.acas.org.uk/coronavirus/if-the-employer-needs-to-close-the-workplace 

FOREIGN OFFICE
Travellers stranded abroad:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus#latest-update-special-charter-flights

IMMIGRATION ADVICE (UK GOVERNMENT)
Home Office helpline: 0800 678 1767. Open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm

DWP GUIDANCE (as of 23rd March 2020)

From Thursday 19th March, people receiving benefits do not have to attend job centre appointments for three months;
Fit notes will not be required for people who need to claim ESA Universal Credit because of coronavirus;
Jobcentres remain open and will continue to support people who are not able to use phones and online, including homeless people.

ESA / Universal Credit
New ESA claimants who are diagnosed with or are staying at home on Government advice due to coronavirus will have money for the first 7 days of your claim included in their first payment;
People diagnosed with or staying at home on Government advice due to coronavirus will be able to apply for Universal Credit, and can receive up to one month’s advance upfront without physically attending a jobcentre;
People diagnosed with or staying at home on Government advice due to coronavirus, will not be sanction, but must inform the DWP in good time;
If you need to provide evidence to your employer that you need to stay at home due to having symptoms of coronavirus an Isolation Note can be obtained from NHS 111 online. If you live with someone that has symptoms, an Isolation Note can be obtained from the NHS website

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Statutory Sick Pay will be payable if you are staying at home on Government advice, not just if you are infected by coronavirus. This will apply from 13th March 2020.
People diagnosed with or staying at home on Government advice due to coronavirus, will have the work search and work availability requirements removed to account for a period of sickness

https://www.gov.uk/employers-sick-pay/entitlement

OTHER HELPLINES AND RESOURCES

ADVICE SCOT
For practical advice and information for issues surrounding Coronavirus, including information on Consumer Advice, Employment Advice, Housing Advice, Money & Personal Finance Advice, and Job Retention Scheme:
https://coronavirusadvice.scot/
Tel: 0808 800 9060 – there is also a Live Chat facility on the website

THIRD SECTOR RESILIENCE FUND
https://scvo.org/support/coronavirus/funding/for-organisations/third-sector-resilience-fund

NORTH AYRSHIRE FOOD FOR VULNERABLE FAMILIES
https://www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/Free-food-deliveries-start-to-roll-out.aspx

ELDERLY PEOPLE
Age Scotland: 0800 12 44 222
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm

DOMESTIC ABUSE
Scotland’s 24hr Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
Tel: 0800 027 1234

Rape Crisis Scotland
Tel: 08088 01 03 02. Calls to this number are free.
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Text: 07537 410027.

MEN’S ADVICE LINE
https://mensadviceline.org.uk/
Tel: 0808 8010327

HOMELESSNESS
Shelter Scotland:0808 800 4444
Opening hours are Monday-Friday 8am-8pm; weekends 8am-5pm

CONSUMER RIGHTS
Which UK hub has the latest news, advice and community discussions related to Covid-19
https://www.which.co.uk/news/coronavirus/
Please note that some of this information will only apply to England.

PARENTS
• GENERAL SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND CARERS
Parentline Scotland: 0800 028 2233. Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm; weekends, 9am to 12pm.

• SUPPORT FOR SINGLE PARENTS
Lone Parent Helpline: 0808 801 0323. Open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm

• SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF DISABLED CHILDREN
Contact: 0808 808 3555. Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am-5pm

• HOMESCHOOLING / EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
Literacy resources for ages birth to 12: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/

PEOPLE WITH LOW MOOD, DEPRESSION OR ANXIETY:
Breathing Space Scotland: 0800 83 85 87. Open Monday – Thursday 6pm to 2am; Friday, Saturday and Sunday 6pm – 6am

PET OWNERS
SSPCA: 03000 999 999. Open 7am-10pm every day

RBS / NATWEST/ULSTER BANK
For customers over 70 and in self-isolation. Open 8am-8pm, 7 days a week:

NatWest – 0800 051 4176
Royal Bank of Scotland – 0800 051 4177
Ulster NI – 0800 092 4238

For customers who are NHS workers. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

NatWest – 0800 046 2418
Royal Bank of Scotland – 0800 0466734
Ulster NI – 0800 0466778

For Business customers:
NatWest Business hub – https://www.business.natwest.com/business/support-centre/service-status/coronavirus.html
Royal Bank of Scotland Business hub – https://www.business.rbs.co.uk/business/support-centre/service-status/coronavirus.html
Ulster Bank Business Hub – https://digital.ulsterbank.co.uk/business/support/service-status/coronavirus.html

SCOTTISH POWER
Vulnerable customers can register for their Priority Services Register online https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/priority_services_registration_form.aspx

General information on energy supply can be found at
https://news.energynetworks.org/coronavirus/keeping-energy-flowing

INSURANCE
Association of British Insurers – Consumer Q&A
https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/topics-and-issues/coronavirus-hub/