SERVICE DETAILS
Assistance for Edinburgh Residents affected by Fire
The effects of a fire can be devastating – physically, materially and psychologically. For residents in the City of Edinburgh Council area, there is a dedicated fund that can help you to recover from the damage.
History of the Fund
The Surplus Fire Fund was created in 1824, when a large sum of money was raised by local people to help the victims of a number of fires in Edinburgh’s High Street. The money that was left over from this was put into what became known as the Surplus Fire Fund (SFF).
The City of Edinburgh Council (Leith Links and Surplus Fire Fund) Act 2014 passed by the Scottish Parliament in March 2014, dissolved the SFF and transferred management of the fund to The Edinburgh & Lothian Trust Fund.
In January 2015, the SFF was re-named The Edinburgh Fire Fund. The purpose of the new Edinburgh Fire Fund, as with the SFF, is to relieve the suffering caused through serious injury or loss as a result of a fire in the city. The Fire Fund will continue to do this under the umbrella of The Edinburgh & Lothian Trust Fund.
Who can apply for money from the Edinburgh Fire Fund?
Anyone who meets the application criteria can apply for a grant from the fund, as long as the fire took place in the City of Edinburgh Council area. Applications for the fund must be made by the person directly affected by fire. It is normally expected that a third party e.g. social worker, support worker, community nurse etc., should verify the information provided.
Criteria for Grants to Individuals/Families affected by fire
- Individuals and Families who are affected by fire, including physical and/or psychological trauma or through fire damage to their home
The applicant must be resident in the Edinburgh Local Authority Area and any need must arise as a result of a fire in the applicant’s home
- Eligible Expenditure:
Household contents, personal effects and clothing but only if not covered by appropriate insurance
Redecoration (and any prior cleaning to remove smoke damage)
Counselling/therapy needed as a result of trauma resulting from the fire
- Ineligible expenditure is the cost of any structural repairs or work which would usually be covered by a Buildings Insurance Policy.
- ELTF will not undertake a capital means test although we will prioritise applicants on low income
- Applicants must be in receipt of state benefits or earning not more than the living wage with reference to Living Wage Foundation (Currently £8.45 gross per hour)
- Applications for the fund must be made by the person directly affected by fire. A third party e.g. social worker, support worker, community nurse etc., should verify the information provided. If this is not possible, an explanation should be provided
- Awards are made at the discretion of Trustees and their decision is final
- Applications will only be accepted for fires that have occurred in the last 6 months and where the applicant can provide a report from Fire and Rescue Scotland
- Where the incident is still under Police investigation or consideration by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), the Trustees will defer their consideration until these organisations have satisfactorily concluded their investigations
How do I apply to The Fire Fund?
Applications can be made via our online application system at http://www.eltf.org.uk/funds/the-edinburgh-fire-fund. Please note only online applications will be accepted.
What happens next?
- On receipt of your application, a representative from the Edinburgh and Lothian Trust Fund will contact you for further information and assessment
- Subject to satisfactory assessment, you will be asked to provide an itemised list of the items to be replaced and their costs
- Eligible applications will be submitted to The Edinburgh and Lothian Trust Fund Trustees for a decision
- Once a decision has been made, we will contact you to let you know whether or not your application has been successful.
Further Information
For further information please contact Janette Scappaticcio or telephone 0131 555 9100.
Download the Edinburgh Fire Fund leaflet at http://www.eltf.org.uk/funds/the-edinburgh-fire-fund.
