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Scottish Welfare Fund

helen elc
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east lothian council welfare rights team

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Joined: 27 September 2010

Looking for information guidance re SWF application : expectant mother close to due date has children under16 so no Sure Start Maternity Grant, applied SWF but refused as baby not here yet Any views opinions or experience with this
thanks Helen

Stuart
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rightsnet editor

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There’s now statutory guidance for the Fund issued by the Scottish Government. For links and background have a look at the rightsnet news Scottish Government issues new statutory guidance in relation to the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Also there is an Independent Review scheme for challenging Scottish Welfare Fund decisions via the
Scottish Public Services Ombudsman website

Paul_Treloar_AgeUK
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Information and advice resources - Age UK

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Also information on the SWF available via CPAG

Scottish Welfare Fund

Although link to CPAG Scotland factsheet is broken I notice, here’s the latest version.

The Scottish Welfare Fund and advance payments of benefit

[ Edited: 25 Aug 2016 at 11:51 am by Paul_Treloar_AgeUK ]
helen elc
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east lothian council welfare rights team

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Joined: 27 September 2010

Thanks Paul I will read through the information, what the LA is saying that a Grant cannot be considered until the baby is born, there are grounds regarding exceptional family pressure but only once the baby is here..
The Health visitor has got a charity involved who are looking at what they can provide. I have another form to go once the baby is born.

Mark Willis
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Welfare rights worker - CPAG in Scotland

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Thanks, Paul, those links should be working again now.

Hi Helen.
A grant certainly can be considered now as they are a family so the decision should be based on whether they are considered to be under exceptional pressure and sufficient priority for a grant now.  She can request a review of this decision, but can also make a new application when circumstances have changed. Para 8.14 of the guidance refers to families under exceptional pressures and under Annex C, being pregnant is one of the factors that could contribute to a vulnerability which would give an application higher priority. Maternity expenses covered by a Sure Start Maternity Grant are excluded, but this should not apply if the claimant is excluded from the SSMG as in this case.

Mark

Ross ORourke
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Welfare rights, Financial inclusion, North Lanarkshire Council -Lanarkshire

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I’d request a 1st tier review on the basis of vulnerability, failing to take into account the risk, and exceptional family pressure that would be applied on a mother that’s just given birth, a new born and the rest of the family if they were lacking these items.

Also being pregnant is listed as a core vulnerability within SWF guidance.