Food banks and other crisis help

Check if you can increase your income

If you don't have enough money for food, you might be able to:

• increase your income - for example, you might be able to claim benefits. Check if you can increase your income.

• get emergency help with food - check if you can get a crisis grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund.

If you need help and advice, you can:

• speak to an adviser at a Citizens Advice Bureau - find out how to contact a Citizens Advice Bureau

• get advice from the Money Talk Team at your local bureau - call 0800 028 1456 to be directed to your local bureau or go to the Money Talk Team website.

An adviser can check that you're getting all the money and benefits that you're entitled to.

Getting help from a food bank

You might be able to get emergency help with food from a food bank.

Food banks are run by:

• charities

• churches - they'll still help you even if you’re not religious or have a different religion

• other community groups.

To get help from a food bank you may need to be referred with a voucher that you can exchange for food. The food bank will tell you where you can get a voucher in your area. 

Finding a food bank

 To find a food bank, you can: 

• contact your local council - they can help you find a local food bank and tell you what other help might be available, for example from the Scottish Welfare Fund.

• contact a Citizens Advice Bureau - they can help you find a local food bank and can support you to get other help

• check online - you can find local food banks and whether you need to be referred to them.

You can find most local food banks using the resource search on the ALISS website. You might need a referral voucher to use some of the food banks listed.

There is information about independent food banks in your area on the Independent Food Aid Network’s website. You might need a referral voucher to use some of these food banks.

The Trussell Trust runs a network of food banks in the UK. You might need a referral voucher to use some of these food banks. You can find out where to get a voucher and where your local food bank is on the Trussell Trust website.

If you cannot get to a food bank

If you live in a rural area and cannot get to a food bank, your nearest food bank might be able to deliver. Contact them to check.

Getting other emergency help

Find out more about other help you can get if you're struggling with living costs.

Find out about other help in your area by asking:

• your local council - find your local council on mygov.scot.

• your local Citizens Advice Bureau.