Who can Apply for the Scottish Welfare Fund

Applicants should be aged 16 or over, on a low income, either in or out of work, and not have access to any other source of assistance.

A person entitled to one of the following benefits will be considered to be on a low income:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

If you have recently made, or are about to make a new claim for benefit, for example to Universal Credit,and you are in financial hardship, you should apply to the Department for Work and Pensions for an advance of other benefits.  This will then be recovered from your future benefit payments. If you are entitled to an  advance of your benefit, you will not be entitled to a Scottish Welfare Fund grant for the same situation.

How would I receive a grant?

Even if you meet our qualifying criteria for a grant, there are only limited funds available during each financial year. This means that not everyone who applies for a grant will be successful.

If you are awarded a grant, you may receive funds in the following ways:

• Household goods will be bought, delivered and installed for you
• Living expenses will either be paid by direct credit into your bank account or you will be given a voucher that you can redeem in any outlet that displays a yellow PayPoint logo
• Travel costs will be paid at public transport rates. You may be issued with a travel voucher.