Personal Welfare
Health Costs
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Students are not automatically exempt from health costs. People on a low income can apply for help with Health Costs (dental, prescriptions, optical etc). If you qualify for Tax Credits, and your income qualifies you for this, you should automatically be sent a Certificate to use for exemption for this. If you are not getting Tax Credits, and wish to apply for exemption, there is a form HC1, which you can get at the Student Services, Benefits Agency or Post Office.
If you would like advice about free prescriptions and other NHS charges, the NHS Scotland Freephone Helpline number is 0800 22 44 88.
Childcare Costs
(all students with childcare costs)
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The following are possible sources of funding for registered childcare:
- SAAS Additional Childcare Grant for Lone Parents
- Uk Student Fund
- Trust Funds
- Local employment initiatives/partnerships
Childcare Availability
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These services provide free, impartial, accurate and up to date information on a wide range of local childcare and pre-school education services including the following:
- Child minders
- Nurseries
- Pre-school Education
- Out of School Care
- Holiday Playschemes
- Parent & Toddler Groups
- Playgroups
The service offers advice to callers on how to choose the type of provision most suited to their needs and the needs of their children, however, no specific recommendation will be made.
How to get in touch?
Renfrewshire
Childcare in Renfrewshire Information Service (CRIS)
Contact:
Childcare Information Service Abbey House, 8 Seedhill Road Paisley PA1 1JT
Telephone: 0141 840 3853
Email: Childcare.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
website: Renfrewshire
Opening Hours: 8.45am - 4.45pm (Monday -Thursday) 8.45am - 3.55pm (Friday)
There is an answering service outwith these hours.
Ayrshire
Contact: Childcare and Recreation Information Service (CARIS) Telephone: 0845 351 3000 Email: caris@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
Opening Hours:
9.00am - 4.45pm (Monday - Thursday)
9.00am - 4.30pm (Friday)
Dumfries and Galloway
Contact:
Childcare Partnership Information Service
Telephone: 0845 601 0191
Website: www.dumgal.gov.uk
Opening Hours:
9.00am - 5.00pm (Monday - Friday)
For information in childcare in other areas log onto the National website.
Hamilton
North Lanarkshire Childcare Information Service
Phone 01236 812281
Office hours
8.30-5.00 pm Monday – Thursday, Friday 8.30-4.15pm
Website at www.childcarelink.gov.uk/northlanarkshire
Bus/Coach Travel
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Student discount cards may be purchased from local bus stations (terms and conditions apply).
If you are aged 16 to 25 or a full time student, you can purchase a Student/Young Person Discount Coachcard, giving you savings of up to 30% on many National Express coaches.
See the National Express website.
Local bus companies sell discounted tickets for weekly travel.
Rail Travel
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The Young Persons' Railcard can be purchased and used by full-time students of any age. This entitles the holder to one third off most standard fares. Application forms are available from local train stations. For more information visit the Nation Rail website.
Housing Rights >>
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