Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: Annual Update: 2021-22

Repeat Applications and Awards

The percentage of applications and awards that were repeats were higher for Crisis Grants compared to Community Care Grants (Chart 13).The number of Community Care Grant applications and awards that were repeats increased by 10% and 12%, respectively, between 2020-21 and 2021-22 (Table 65 and 67). At the same time, the number of Crisis Grant applications and awards that were repeats increased by 28% and 4%, respectively (Table 69, Table 71). The proportion of applications that were repeats increased for Community Care Grants (from 28% in 2020-21 to 30% in 2021-22) and Crisis Grants (from 71% in 2020-21 to 80% in 2021-22).

In April to June 2020, the proportion of Crisis Grant applications and awards that were repeats decreased slightly to 64% and 56%, respectively. (Table 68, Table 70). Since then, there has been a relatively steep increase to highs of 84% and 72% respectively (January to March 2022). This likely reflects the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the increases in the cost of living seen in recent months. In subsequent quarters, the proportion of Crisis Grant applications and awards that were repeats steadily increased.