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

You must be aged 16 or older and on a low income to get help from the Scottish Welfare Fund. There is no set definition of what counts as a low income, but generally your income should be similar to someone receiving a benefit like Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

You don't need to be getting benefits to get support from the Scottish Welfare Fund.

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

Crisis Grants

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:

• An unexpected crisis occurs
• You need help with food or heating costs
• Your home has been affected by a fire or flood
• 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 Grants 

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.