The Scottish Welfare Fund provides financial support if you are facing a crisis or need help to live in the community. This is normally in the form of a one-off grant to help with living costs. The fund does not cover ongoing expenses.
You do not need to pay the money back.
There are two kinds of grants.
- Crisis grants - to help meet immediate needs after an emergency or disaster. For example you can apply for things like food, heating costs, nappies, toiletries and travel.
- Community care grants - to help people to settle in a new home, when moving from an "unsettled way of life" (for example hospital, prison or a homeless accommodation unit). They can also support families who are facing exceptional pressure. For example you can apply for things like furniture or carpets.
We award grants based on your situation. We only receive a limited amount of money from the Government each year, so we can only provide small grants. We normally cannot give you more than 3 grants in any 12 month period unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Who can apply for a grant
You can apply for a grant if you:
- are over 16 years old
- have a low income or do not have access to your money
You can apply for a community care grant if you have savings of less than £700 (£1200 if you're over the age for pension credit).
How to apply
You can apply online:
You can also apply by calling the Scottish Welfare Fund application line on 0800 03 04 713, from 9am to 5pm.
We will ask you for proof of your identity and your circumstances. For this we will check the information held on our records and we may contact other organisations in connection with your circumstances. We will contact you if we need more information.
Request a review
If you are unhappy with our decision about your claim, you can ask for the decision to be looked at again. This is called a first tier review.
To ask for a review please write to us at the address below within 20 days of our original decision. Explain why you think the decision was wrong. The letter should be signed by the person who made the original claim.
Alternatively, you can email your Review request to us at scottishwelfarefund@aberdeencity.gov.uk or phone us on 0800 03 04 713 and a call handler will take your Review request. You will still need to explain why you think the original decision was wrong.
The review will be dealt with by a different decision maker, not involved in the original decision making process.
Write to us at:
Scottish Welfare Fund Team
Business Hub 16
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB
Request an independent review
If you are still unhappy with our decision once we have carried out a review, you have the right to ask the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) for an independent review. The SPSO is not part of the Council.
You should ask the SPSO for an independent review within one month of receiving our decision about your first tier review. In some circumstances you may be able to ask for a review after this. You should contact the SPSO for advice.
How to contact the SPSO:
- Phone 0800 014 7299. Calls are free to this number, even from mobiles.
- Write to FREEPOST SPSO. You don't need to use a stamp.
- Visit the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman website.
The SPSO can give you information in other languages or formats (such as large print, SMS audio or Braille). In some cases, the SPSO may be able to meet you in person.