Social Fund

You could get help with one-off payments or occasional payments if you are on a low income and meet conditions. The social fund may be able to give you: 

• A maternity grant,
• Money to help with funeral payments, or
• A budgeting loan.

You will not have to pay back any money you get as a maternity grant, cold weather payment or funeral payments, however, money for funeral payments can be taken back from the estate of the person who has passed away.

The social fund can give you a budgeting loan – budgeting loans are for help with essential one-off big payments that are difficult to plan for such as a broken boiler.

To qualify for a budgeting loan, you will have to be receiving one of the following benefits for at least six months:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit

To qualify for a Scottish Welfare Fund you need to be aged 16 or older, on a low income and receiving certain benefits.

You will need to contact your local authority for more information about how to make an application to the Scottish Welfare Fund. The SWF can assist with different grants that do not have to be paid back. Some of the grants available include:

• A Crisis Grant to help with costs if you have an emergency such as access to food or heating

Community Care Grant You can find out more information about the Scottish Welfare Fund here.