Scottish Welfare Fund
The Scottish Welfare Fund is aimed at providing assistance for people on benefits, or considered to be on a low income. The Council administers the fund on behalf of the Scottish Government and provides two types of grant:
Coronavirus (Covid-19)With immediate effect we will be accepting applications for all welfare benefits (HB, Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants) and council tax reduction online through MyOrkney, over the phone or by e-mail. For telephone applications there is no requirement for a signature. Verification where required can be e-mailed to us, or posted. |
Crisis Grants
Providing a safety net in the event of a disaster or emergency. A Crisis Grant may help if you are:
- In crisis because of a disaster like a fire or flood, or an emergency such as losing all your money or having to visit a sick child in hospital.
- Need help with costs that have arisen as a result of the disaster or emergency, to keep you and your family safe from harm. If you qualify for a Crisis Grant, the help you receive will depend on the particular difficulties you face. You may be given money or another form of support, for example, a voucher, fuel card, travel ticket or furniture.
Community Care Grants
Providing help to leave care and live on your own, or to continue living in your own home. A Community Care Grant may help if you:
- Are about to leave care to live on your own in the community, for example after being in hospital or in prison, or face going into care because you don’t have the things you need to continue living at home. A Community Care Grant may also be able to help if you are struggling to provide a safe and secure home for your family.
- Need help to get essential household items like a cooker or washing machine but don’t have the money to buy it. As with the Crisis Grant, if you qualify for a Community Care Grant the help you receive will depend on your circumstances. You may be given money or you may receive support another way, for example, a voucher, fuel card, travel ticket or furniture.
COVID-19 Self Isolation Support Grants
The Scottish Government has committed to providing a grant of £500 to individuals who are in receipt of low income benefits and who lose income as a result of being required to self-isolate to prevent the spread of COVID- 19.
Applications are available from 12 October 2020 and grant payments may be available to individuals asked to self-isolate on or after 28 September 2020.
Applications must be made during the 14-day self-isolation period, as it is not possible to accept applications for a backdated grant award once the 14-day period ends.
Individuals will be eligible to receive a grant payment if the applicant meets the Scottish Welfare Fund’s eligibility conditions, and the applicant:
- Is required by the Test and Protect Service to self-isolate as a result of COVID-19;
- Is employed or self-employed, and unable to work from home while self-isolating;
- Is in receipt of Universal Credit or another low income benefit; and
- Will experience loss of income as a result of self-isolating.
How to apply
You can apply by completing our online form on MyOrkney by clicking the button below:
If you have a question about your application you can email the Scottish Welfare Fund team.
Review of decisions
If you have applied for a Crisis Grant or Community Care Grant and remain unhappy with the outcome of your application you may ask for a review of that decision.
You can download guidance on the review process from the 'Related Sites' section of this webpage.
Additional Information
Further information about the Scottish Welfare Fund are available from the 'Related Sites' and 'Related Downloads' sections of this page.
