Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics

Since Scottish Welfare Fund began in April 2013, 275,690 individual households have been helped, with awards totalling over £148 million to 30 September 2017.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released statistics on the Scottish Welfare Fund covering  the period from 1 April 2013 to 30 September 2017. The statistics showed that a third of households receiving a Scottish Welfare Fund award were families with children, while just over half were single person households with no children.

The Scottish Welfare Fund comprises of Community Care Grants – which help people to live independently – and Crisis Grants, which provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency.

During the first 6 months of 2017/18, a total of £16 million was awarded through the Scottish Welfare Fund, this was just under half (47%) of the £34.4 million budget available (£33 million allocated for 2017/18 by the Scottish Government, plus £1.4 million underspend carried forward from 2016/17).

Community Care Grants

• Between 1 July and 30 September 2017, 16,600 Community Care Grant applications were decided and an award was made in 9,880 cases. Overall, 59% of cases were successful, five percentage points lower than the same quarter last year.
• Between July and September 2017, Local Authorities awarded £5.7 million in Community Care Grants, with an average award value of around £580, the most common expenditure was on floor coverings, beds and bedding, and kitchen appliances such as cookers, fridges and freezers.

Crisis Grants

• Between July and September 2017, 42,805 Crisis Grant applications were decided and an award was made in 29,205 cases. Overall, 68% of applications were successful, a four percentage point decrease compared to the same quarter last year.
• Between July and September 2017, Local Authorities awarded £2.3 million in Crisis Grants with an average award value of around £80. The most common expenditure was on food, essential heating costs and other living expenses.

Background

The full statistical publication is available here. 

This publication contains:  an overview of number of applications and awards for Community Care Grants and Crisis Grants; details on the processing times for applications; information on what the Scottish Welfare Fund has been spent on and household analyses.  Local Authority analyses and details of the review process are also provided.

Official statistics are produced by professionally independent statistical staff – more information on the standards of official statistics in Scotland can be accessed here. 

On 1 April 2013, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) abolished two elements of the Social Fund – Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans – and transferred funds previously spent on them to Scottish Ministers. In its place, the Scottish Government established the Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF). The Scottish Welfare Fund is a national scheme run by local authorities, based on guidance from Scottish Ministers. The guidance has been developed in partnership with COSLA, Local Authorities and other stakeholders.