SERVICE DETAILS
COVID-19 UPDATE...
The Scottish Government has made additional funds available to the Scottish Welfare Fund to help people affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic. If you are no longer able to work or have had hours reduced, and do not have any savings or other sources of income, we may be able to help.
If you have made a claim for a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit and you have not received a payment yet, you should apply for a DWP Hardship Payment, a Short Term Benefit Advance or a Universal Credit advance payment before applying for a Crisis Grant.
You won't qualify for a grant if you have already applied for the same item in the last 28 days, unless your circumstances have changed.
What is a Crisis Grant?
- A crisis grant is a sum of money given by the Social Welfare Fund in a crisis.
- The grant is tax free and you don't have to pay back.
- A Crisis Grant can be given to cover the costs of an emergency.
Examples of this could include when:
- There's a fire or flood at home
- You've lost money
- An unexpected crisis happens
- You're facing a gap in your normal income because of a redundancy or change at work
- You're a victim of domestic abuse and you need help with things like moving away from an abuser
- You're a grandparent or other relative who has taken over caring for a child, and you're waiting on a transfer of benefits
Your income
To get a Crisis Grant you need to be on a low income - this doesn't mean you need to be on benefits.
What counts as a low income
There is no figure that will be used to judge whether you have a low income. As a guide, if you're on one of the benefits below, or your income is about the same as someone who is, it's more likely you'll be able to get a Crisis Grant:
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - Income based
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Income based
- Universal Credit
Apply for a grant...
Apply for a crisis grant online at https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/benefits-grants/scottish-welfare-fund or call the Scottish Welfare Fund (Edinburgh Council) on 0131 529 5299.
The opening times are Monday to Thursday 10:00am to 4:45pm and Friday 10:00am to 3:40pm.
If you are successful in receiving a grant you will get a text message with a code that can be used to redeem a cash award from a Paypoint vendor. Find your nearest Paypoint by searching for your postcode at https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/benefits-grants/scottish-welfare-fund.
We decide on your crisis grant application by the next working day.
