Restriction of Scottish Welfare Fund crisis grants to three per person per year waived during COVID-19 outbreak

Scottish Government considers the current circumstances to be 'exceptional' so that the waiver can be applied

The general restriction of Scottish Welfare Fund crisis grant payments to three per person per year has been waived during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Responding last week to a written question in the Scottish Parliament on whether, in light of the current coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Government will waive the general rule that restricts Scottish Welfare Fund crisis grant payments to an individual to three in any year, Social Security Secretary Shirley Anne-Somerville said -

‘The regulations governing the Scottish Welfare Fund allow a local authority to make more than three payments to an individual in a 12 month period if it considers there are exceptional circumstances. We have written to practitioners in each local authority confirming the provision of an additional £45 million for the Scottish Welfare Fund and noting that we consider the current circumstances to be exceptional.’

Ms Somerville’s written answer is available from parliament.scot