Money worries

These are tough times for many of us, but help is out there.

Local groups can offer immediate financial help, and national organisations have free help and resources for everyone who is struggling to make money last till the end of the week.

Support from A&B Council

Argyll and Bute Council's website offers a range of information.  The Worried About Money step-by-step guide will direct you to the best sources of help for your situation.

The Coronavirus Financial Hardship page has links to the Welfare Rights Service, Money Advice Service, advice on  help with paying the rent, and a range of grants.

CAS Money Talk Team

Contact Citizens Advice Scotland's Money Talk Team for help by phone or live chat.  A team of trained advisors will give you personalised advice on

  • saving money on bills
  • accessing benefits
  • dealing with debt.

This is a free, impartial and confidential service.
Call 0800 085 7145

Help with self-isolating

If you have been contacted by Test and Protect and asked to self-isolate, and have no other sources of support, you can request help from Argyll and Bute Council's Coronavirus helpline online form - please note, this form is only monitored on working days, so requests made on the public holidays will take longer to process.

You can apply for the Self Isolation Support Grant of £500 - select 'Self-Isolation Support Grant' in the drop-down menu for I want to make an application for:

Argyll and Bute Council's Coronavirus helpline is available for anyone who needs any form of domestic, financial or social care help related or due to Coronavirus, including being told to self isolate as part of Test and Protect.  You can complete the online form here or call during working hours on 01546 605524.

Local help

Financial help

MICT's Waterfall Fund Covid Winter Hardship Fund is open to all residents of Mull, Iona, Ulva, Gometra and Erraid.  Small grants (up to  £250) are available to individuals and families to help ends meet.

South West Mull and Iona Covid Crisis Fund is open to all residents of the South West Mull and Iona area who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  For an application form please contact Morven Gibson mgibson@swmid.co.uk or 01681 700403.

Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund  is aimed at tackling financial insecurity for adults and families across Argyll and Bute.  ABFFF offers financial support and wider confidential professional help to anyone suffering hardship. Households with low incomes and no access to cash savings can apply for immediate financial support. The Fund will help support daily living expenses.
Apply via the online claim form.
For help or support to complete the form please call  01700 502784 and ask about the Argyll and Bute Flexible Food Fund.

Food Bank

The Mull and Iona Pantry is available to anyone in the local community who is experiencing financial difficulties - families and individuals. Food boxes are delivered across the island.  Contact mullandionapantry@gmail.com if you, or anyone you know, needs help.