Scottish Welfare Fund - Can I get help from the Scottish Welfare Fund?

You must be on a low income to get help from the Scottish Welfare Fund. There is no set definition of what this means, but it generally means your income should be similar to the income of someone getting benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

You don't need to be on benefits.

There is a fixed budget for each local authority, so applications will be prioritised according to local authority rules around need and circumstances. 

Crisis Grant

You can apply for a Crisis Grant to help cover the costs of an emergency. Here are some examples of situations where you might be eligible:

• You need help with food or heating costs.
• Your home has been affected by a fire or flood.
• An unexpected crisis occurs.
• You are a victim of domestic abuse and need help with things like moving away from an abuser.
• You are a grandparent or other relative who has taken over caring for a child, and you’re waiting for a transfer of benefits.
• You are facing a gap in your regular income due to redundancy or a change at work.

Generally, you can only get three Crisis Grants within a 12-month period, unless you have exceptional circumstance.

Community Care Grant 

You can apply for a Community Care Grant if:

• You’re leaving care or imprisonment and need help to start a settled home.
• You’ve been homeless or living an unsettled life and need help to start a settled home.
• You need support to stay out of care.
• You’re caring for someone who has been released from prison or a young offender’s institution.
• You’re under significant pressure and need help to maintain a settled home.
• You’re escaping domestic abuse.
• A child’s health is at risk

You must usually have less than £700 in savings to get a Community Care Grant if you are under pension age. If you are over pension age, then you must usually have less than £1,200 in savings.

There is no limit on how many times you can apply for a Community Care Grant.