Scottish Welfare Fund

Due to coronavirus, local councils may not be able to offer a face to face service when you apply for a Crisis or Community Care Grant. You can still apply by getting in touch with your local council by phone or by going to their website. After you've applied, your local council will try to get back to you as soon as they can. Since there has been a recent increase in the number of people applying, this may take longer than normal.

The Scottish Welfare Fund helps families and people in Scotland who are on low incomes through Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants.

You can apply for a:

• Crisis Grant – if you're in crisis because of a disaster (like a fire or flood), or an emergency (like losing your money or an unexpected expense)
• Community Care Grant – to help you or someone you care for to start to live, or to carry on living, a settled life in the community

You must be 16 or older and on a low income to apply for a Crisis or Community Care Grant.

Further help with money problems

You can also get general advice for your money problems from:

• Money Talk Team – get help to make sure you're claiming everything you're entitled to and advice to help you make the most of your money
• Scotland's Financial Health Service – find information and advice on debt, managing money, housing, homelessness and ethical lending
• National Debtline – get free, confidential and independent debt advice on 0808 808 4000
• Citizens Advice Scotland – visit your nearest bureau to speak to somebody face-to-face, or call 0845 450 0351
• Shelter Scotland – call the free helpline for housing advice on 0808 800 4444
• Money Advice Scotland – find details of agencies that give independent financial advice

Find out about call charges.