• 
• 
• 
• 
  • Applying For
  • Business Resources
  • Careers and Retirement
  • Citizens Advice
  • Community Council
  • Council Tax and Housing
  • Education and Learning
  • Emergency Contacts
  • Environment
  • Housing Services
  • Living and Social Care
    • Care and Support
      • Bright New Futures
      • Children and Family Support
      • Community Care
      • Criminal Justice Services
      • Housing Advice
      • Voluntary Organisations and Charities
      • Welfare Benefits
    • Child Care
    • Death
    • Birth
    • Marriage and Civil Partnership
    • Registration Service
  • Local Democracy
  • Online Services
  • Planning and Building
  • Your Street
• 
• 

Social Work provide a number of services for older people.  The following information may also be helpful:   

• Travel Concession Card - you can apply for a travel concession card if you are disabled or 60 years of age and over.  This entitles you to free bus travel within the Borders.  Please note that changes to the concessionary fares scheme are taking place in 2006.  From 1 April, concessionary cardholders will be entitled to unlimited free bus and coach travel (bus, coach, rail and ferry for blind persons) throughout Scotland and to Berwick and Carlisle. You can find out more about these changes and take part in the consultation process by visiting the Scottish Government website.  
• Scottish Borders Elder Voice is an organisation for the over fifties addressing the concerns of older people.  The organisation is financed by grants, run by volunteers and works in partnership with other organisations.  They are based in Galashiels and are always looking for new members to participate in task groups, help in the office and establish and chair satellite groups in local areas.
• The Scottish Government website provides a wide range of information about services relevant to older people.
• Winter Fuel Payments provide a one-off payment to older people with winter heating bills.  You should get a payment if you are 60 or over, living in the UK, getting a State Pension or other Social Security benefit (not including Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) in the qualifying week of 20-26 September. 
• The Central Heating Programme is a grant scheme for homeowners and people who rent their home from a private landlord.  Free installation of a central heating system, insulation and draught-proofing for people aged 60 years and over.  The house must normally lack a central heating system or have an existing system that is broken and beyond repair.
• The Warm Deal is a scheme which provides a grant of up to £500 to make your home more energy-efficient and keep you warmer during the cold winter months.  You will qualify for a grant of £500 if you or your partner own or rent your home and are in receipt of one of the allowances or benefits listed below.  Alternatively, a lower grant is available towards the cost of materials only.  Anyone aged 60 or over not in receipt of a qualifying benefit will also receive a grant.
  
  Attendance Allowance; Council Tax Benefit; Disability Living Allowance; Disability Working Allowance; Family Credit; Housing Benefit; Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support; Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include constant Attendance Allowance); War Disablement Pension (which must include the mobility supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance); Working Families Tax Credit or Disabled Persons Tax Credit.