Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: annual update 2023-24

In 2023-24 the most common Community Care Grant expenditure remained on floor coverings, beds, bedding, and electrical appliances such as washing machines, cookers, fridges and freezers (Table 44).

In general, the most commonly awarded items and their proportions of the total number of items awarded have remained similar quarter to quarter (Table 43). The quantity of most items awarded has decreased, especially in the most recent two quarters, which correlates with the fall in the number of Community Care Grant awards in 2023-24 (Table 21).

As in previous years, the most common specified Crisis Grant awards were for food, essential heating expenses and other living expenses (Table 48). The amount spent on food decreased by 12% to £11.0 million in 2023-24, accounting for 59% of Crisis Grant expenditure; the amount spent on essential heating costs fell back by 19% from its 2022-23 peak. (Table 50).

The most common payment method for Community Care Grants remained provision of new goods (50% of payments, Table 52). Cash remained the most common payment method for Crisis Grants (47% of payments) (Table 54).