PKC Welfare Rights Team

21/08/2026

Good afternoon Perth and Kinross 🥰

Job Opportunities!!

We currently have 3 permanent Welfare Rights Officer positions available within our team. The positions are based in Pullar House and involve hybrid working, mobile working and lone working.

The role is demanding, working in a busy, fast-paced environment with vulnerable people and/or people in vulnerable circumstances.
If you have experience of the benefits system (doesn't have to be in a paid role) and you're passionate about helping people then why not apply👇

View details and apply for this general administration assistant role in with Perth and Kinross Council on myjobscotland

21/08/2026

Good morning Perth and Kinross🥰

We're continuing our theme of people/households subject to immigration control.

We know that many people who have no recourse to public funds and who are subject to immigration control in some way are often apprehensive about approaching authorities for advice because of fear that this may impact their immigration status.

This is a message of reassurance.

The Welfare Rights Team is accredited to the Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers and as such we are not permitted to share any information that we hold about anyone without their consent.

We provide free, confidential and impartial advice, assistance and representation on all aspects of the benefits system and we can identify appropriate and relevant seamless referrals to other agencies for additional advice and support.

If you or someone you know would benefit from our service then please do not hesitate to contact us on 01738 476900 (option 1).

We have access to interpreters and translation services which reduces/removes any communication barriers that you may feel will prevent access to our service.

In the past year we've helped around 80 households that are subject to immigration control for a number of reasons including:

👉EEA Nationals with no pre or settled status,
👉People seeking asylum,
👉Lapsed visas,
👉Relationship breakdowns,
👉Fleeing domestic violence.

For more information on the advice and support that may be available to you in your situation 👉
https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/22028/Assistance-for-people-with-no-recourse-to-public-funds?fbclid=IwY2xjawTz0UdwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXlubEtHRjczZlBqMG9RODRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeFkS9UvPAH1gmRYewMemktohTDrlvhIsuxUJpCNNS4WsDrGiHDBqOUH9lqdY_aem_oEj3QgYefUQtfRpkC0H8lg

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20/08/2026

PLEASE SHARE WITH LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ORGANISATIONS🥰

We've had feedback from colleagues within the Council, following lived experience work with minority ethnic community members, that we need to do more to ensure that people subject to immigration restrictions know what services they can access for advice and assistance.

We've also been made aware that frontline workers are not clear about where people can be referred to for advice and assistance.

A couple of things:
1. We are an inclusive Council and an inclusive team and as such our Council provides us with funding to deliver a local scheme which mirrors Crisis Grants. This means that anyone living within the Perth and Kinross area whether or not they have no recourse to public funds can apply for cash to tide them over a period of crisis.

Households with no recourse to public funds (who are not entitled to benefits due to their immigration status) can apply to the Council's Financial Insecurity Fund: https://www.pkc.gov.uk/financialinsecurityfund

2. Any frontline service/team/workers across the Perth and Kinross area that want to know more about the work that we do with minority ethnic communities and their entitlements should email us at [email protected] and we will arrange training relevant to your needs so that you can best serve the people you are working with.

Thank you to our partners Perth & Kinross Foodbank, Perth Minorities Association, Perthshire Welfare Society, Broke Not Broken, Aberlour Children's Charity FACCS and the Council's Social Work and Housing and Homeless Services for continuing to regularly refer minority ethnic households to us for advice and assistance, without you we would not have the reach that we do.

We'd also like to give thanks to SM Legal and the Ethnic Minority Law Centre in Dundee for continuing to provide immigration advice and assistance to the households we regularly refer to them.

For more information on entitlements for those with No Recourse to Public Funds: https://www.pkc.gov.uk/article/22028/Assistance-for-people-with-no-recourse-to-public-funds

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31/07/2026

WE NEED YOUR HELP, PLEASE SHARE🤩

Good morning Perth and Kinross,

BENEFIT CAP & DHP

We need to find households that are affected by the Benefit Cap. Some households will be affected directly due to the UC 2Child Limit being lifted - their UC amount goes up and, for some, the cap is imposed.

Households affected will be in receipt of Universal Credit and have their income capped.

This will likely reduce the amount that UC pays towards their rent.

This is most likely to affect households in private tenancies with 2 or more children (but not exclusively).

We have funding available within our Discretionary Housing Payment budget to assist eligible households.

There are a couple of things we can do to help these households:

1. We can pay DHP when households qualify: you can apply for DHP @ www.pkc.gov.uk/dhp and/or,
2. We can undertake a comprehensive benefit check to ensure households aren't missing out on their entitlements (payment of some benefits remove the cap completely e.g. disability benefits and this means that households get their full UC entitlement without the cap/limit). You can request a benefit check @ www.pkc.gov.uk/wrt

We really need your help to reach these households.

Please share with community groups, parent councils, any groups you think may help us find those affected...

We appreciate every share we get...let's go viral 💥

Most people claim benefits at some point in their lives depending on their circumstances. The welfare benefits system can be complicated and it is not always clear what benefits, if any, someone may be entitled to.

16/07/2026

PLEASE SHARE TO MAKE SURE NO BAIRNS MISS OUT🥰

If your immigration status prevents you from claiming benefit (this is often called No Recourse to Public Funds) but you have school-age children in your household and you consider your household income to be low, your children may qualify for Free School Meals.

👉P1-P5 will qualify for Universal Free School Meals BUT an application should be made to ensure you receive payments during the school holidays.

👉p6 and up you will need to make an application for Free School Meals if your household has a low-income.

Applications can be made @

Apply now

16/07/2026

PLEASE SHARE TO MAKE SURE NO BAIRNS MISS OUT 🥰

Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants

Applications are now open for the new school year.

👉Free School Meals are Universal for P1-P5 BUT you should make an application if your household has a low-income (in receipt of Universal Credit) because if you qualify you'll receive payments in respect of Free School Meals during the school holidays. AND School Clothing Grants aren't universal so applications still need to be completed. Monthly earnings limit of £995 applies.

👉If you have a child in P6/P7 and you are in receipt of Scottish Child Payment you should also apply for Free School Meals. Earnings limit does NOT apply.

👉If you have a child at secondary school and your household has a low-income (in receipt of Universal Credit) you should apply for Free School Meals. Monthly earnings limit of £995 applies.

For more information and to apply 👇

Apply now

16/07/2026

🌟 ASN Summer Sports Sessions 🌟

Looking for a fun and inclusive activity this summer?

⚽🏀🎾 ASN Summer Sports Sessions are designed for children and young people aged 5–18 years with Additional Support Needs.

These friendly sessions are all about: ✅ Having fun
✅ Building confidence
✅ Making friends
✅ Staying active

Led by Live Active Leisure coaches, activities are adapted to ensure everyone can take part, enjoy themselves and feel included.

📍 Sessions take place at North Inch Campus and Glenearn Campus throughout the summer holidays.

📅 Advance booking is required.

Find out more and book your place through https://liveactive.co.uk/whats-on-offer/asn-summer-of-sport/

Perth and Kinross Council Live Active Leisure Perth City & Towns

03/07/2026

Good morning Perth and Kinross☺

Did you know that one of the most convenient ways to refer to our service is via our online form?

Over 60% of the referrals we receive come via our online form, making it the most popular way that people choose to connect with our service.

👉Accessible 24/7.
👉Accessible to anyone with online access - (workers and members of the public).
👉Discreet access - no need to pick up a phone or walk through a door.
👉You can tell us your whole situation and we'll provide advice, representation, information and onward referral to other services tailored to your circumstances.
👉With their verbal permission, you can refer a friend, family member, colleague or, as a worker, you can refer a client/patient/customer (always ask permission).

For more information, including other ways to access our service, please follow the link below:

Most people claim benefits at some point in their lives depending on their circumstances. The welfare benefits system can be complicated and it is not always clear what benefits, if any, someone may be entitled to.

01/05/2026

Good morning Perth and Kinross 🥰

Yesterday we delivered Welfare Rights and Welfare Fund training to our Partners at Broke Not Broken at our LochLeven Campus.

A fantastic community support team.

Thank you for having us and we'll see you soon 🥰

28/04/2026

Good afternoon Perth and Kinross,

One of our Welfare Rights Officers, Bernie, will be at Goodlyburn Primary School this afternoon if any parents/carers would like to drop in for benefits advice or information on what entitlements may be available to you.

There's no need to make an appointment, you're more than welcome to rock up at the school and ask to speak with Bernie.

She'll be available from 2-4pm this afternoon🥰