Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: update to 31 December 2023

During October to December 2023, a larger proportion of Crisis Grants applications and awards were repeats (71% and 63%, respectively), compared to Community Care Grants (30% and 13%, respectively) (Tables 40-43, Chart 11).

Compared to the same quarter in 2022, the rates of repeat applications for Community Care Grants were one percentage point higher; the rate of awards was two percentage points lower. Crisis Grants repeat applications and awards both increased by two percentage points.

The rates of repeat Crisis Grant applications and awards declined slightly after the highs seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2023 have been even higher. Increased rates of repeat applications and awards may be due to individuals continuing to experience financial hardship, at least partly due to the increased cost of living, and the lingering impacts of COVID-19.

Chart 11: Repeat applications and awards for Community Care Grants and Crisis Grants - Quarterly