Scottish Welfare Fund

Crisis grant

A crisis grant is a sum of money given by the Scottish Welfare Fund in a crisis. The grant is tax free and you don't have to pay back.

Apply for a crisis grant online or call the Scottish Welfare Fund on 0131 529 5299.

The opening times are

  • Monday to Thursday 10:00am to 4:45pm
  • Friday 10:00am to 3:40pm

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.

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. If you are unable to redeem a paypoint voucher, we can also pay directly into a bank account.

We aim to make a decision on your crisis grant application by 4:45pm the next working day.

Self-Isolation Support Grant

If you have been told to self-isolate and meet the following criteria you may be eligible for a £250 grant

You 

  • have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Protect
  • are in receipt of low income benefites
  • will lose income from employment as a result

Find about the Self-Isolation Support Grant.

Scottish Welfare Fund team

Address: Waverley Court,
4 East Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BG

Telephone: 0131 529 5299