Social Security Experience Panel: Scottish Welfare Fund experiences

Applying for Scottish Welfare Fund

More than a third (35 per cent) of respondents said that they applied for the Scottish Welfare Fund over the phone. A third (32 per cent) applied online, and more than a quarter (27 per cent) applied by completing and posting an application. Around one in fifteen (6 per cent) respondents applied in person at a council office.

One in three (30 per cent) of respondents said that they needed support to help apply for the Scottish Welfare Fund. Respondents said that they got support from their local authority, Citizens Advice Scotland, a family member, partner or other relative, a health professional, a voluntary organisation or charity, a housing officer or support worker, or a Welfare Rights Officer.

More than two in five (45 per cent) of respondents said that the process of applying for Scottish Welfare Fund was “difficult or very difficult”. Over a quarter (27 per cent) said that it was “neither easy nor difficult” and over a quarter (28 per cent) said that it was “very easy or easy”.

A number of respondents described challenges with the application process or their interaction with staff.

The online application runs fairly well but can be pretty daunting when you are being questioned on the phone and make you feel like you have done something wrong for being in the position you find yourself faced with.