Thousands of people on Universal Credit and other benefits are set to receive extra financial help this winter.
The fund was originally launched in England in 2021 and ran for several months, but it has now been extended to March 2023, reports Leicestershire Live. It is called the Scottish Welfare Fund in Scotland, and is designed to support people most in need, amid the cost of living crisis.
Particularly, those who may not be eligible for the other support the Government has recently made available, but who are also in need of help. To find out more, read on below.
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Who is the Scottish Welfare Fund for?
To qualify for the funding, you must:
16 or over
on a low income or receiving benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, or Pension Credit).
You must apply to the Council where you live or where you intend to live if you are leaving hospital, prison or residential care. Neither grant has to be paid back and each case is considered on its own merit.
Glasgow City Council gives immediate help to:
have an immediate need
are vulnerable due to old age, ill health or another reason
face significant adverse consequences if the grant is not given.
The grant is made specifically for the following reasons:
support with food
heating/lighting repairs
essential items such as sanitary products
to pay for energy bills such as gas, electricity, oil and water/sewerage bills
to purchase essential household items like fridges, freezers and ovens
provide wider household support not linked to energy and water
housing and homelessness advice
Discretionary Housing Payments
Who doesn’t qualify for the funding?
You won't qualify for a grant if you have:
already applied for the same item in the last 28 days, unless your circumstances have changed
made a claim for a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit and it's delayed. You can apply for a Short-term Advance instead
How can you apply for the fund?
You cannot apply for the fund directly - a referral has had to have been made on behalf of applicants, from a professional support worker or agency. People who don’t have anyone to refer them have to send a request to one of the following services:
Registered charities and voluntary organisations
Schools/education settings
Food banks
Care organisations
Children’s Services
Adult Social Care
Housing
Revenues and Customer Support
Public Health
Care and NHS professionals including nurses and GPs. Referrals received from other parties will also be welcomed
District and borough councils
For more information, visit the Scottish Government website here for further details.
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