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27 October, 2020 Open access

Crisis grant applications to Scottish Welfare Fund increased by 46 per cent at start of COVID-19 pandemic

However, new statistics also show that, in the same period, applications for community care grants went down by 21 per cent

Applications to the Scottish Welfare Fund for crisis grants increased by 46 per cent at the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to new statistics from the Scottish Government.

In Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: Update to 30 June 2020, the Scottish Government examines applications to the Fund relating to the first quarter of 2020/2021 - at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic - and compares them to the same quarter in the previous year. 

In respect of crisis grants, the figures show that between April and June 2020 - 

Conversely, the figures for community care grant applications during the same period reveal that - 

NB - the report also highlights that local authorities have been allocated £57.5 million for Scottish Welfare Fund awards in 2020/2021 so far, which includes a £22.0 million COVID-19 allocation.

Commenting on the figures, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said

'These latest figures demonstrate that we were right to ensure our Scottish Welfare Fund was increased  - just one of many actions taken to ensure there is additional financial support to people coping with the economic impacts of coronavirus  (COVID-19).

The leading reason people apply for emergency help is that their benefits or other income has been spent.

While the Scottish Government works to improve provision for children and families facing poverty, we continue to have to spend money to protect the most vulnerable in our communities from UK benefit cuts.'

For more information, see Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: update to 30 June 2020 from gov.scot