Who can apply
You can now apply to us for grants under the Scottish Welfare Fund. The Fund awards Community Care Grants and Crisis Grants. Neither type of grant has to be paid back.
You must apply to us where you live, or where you intend to live if you are leaving hospital, prison, residential care or moving home.
You can apply for a grant if you are 16 or over. You should normally have a low income, this often means you already receive a benefit like Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, or Pension Credit. You do not have to be receiving any benefits to apply, as long as you have a low income or cannot access your money.
Are you eligible to receive a grant?
The key test for a:
- Crisis Grant is the severity of your situation and the likely impact of the grant on you and your family, if you have a family
- Community Care Grant is whether or not the grant will help you in keeping or establishing a settled way of life in the community
Each case is considered on its own merit. A limited amount of money is available to the many people who apply. We can only support those who need help the most provided they meet the qualifying criteria.
We give highest priority to people who:
- are vulnerable due to old age, ill health or another reason
- have an immediate need
- face significant adverse consequences if the grant is not given
Reasons you may not be eligible for a grant
You won’t qualify for a Crisis Grant if you:
- have made a claim for a DWP Benefit ie Job Seekers Allowance; Employment and Support Allowance; Income Support or Universal Credit and it's delayed. You can apply for a Short-term Advance instead by contacting your local Job Centre or calling 0345 608 8545
- have already received three crisis grants in the last 12 months, however in exceptional circumstances we may be able to consider a further one off payment
- have already applied for the same item in the last 28 days, unless your circumstances have changed
Further Information is available in the Scottish Welfare Fund leaflet.