The Scottish Welfare Fund provides two types of support through the award of grants. ‘Crisis grants’ can be paid if you are in crisis because of a disaster (eg a fire or flood) or an emergency (eg losing your money or job). ‘Community care grants’ can be paid to help you or someone you care for to start, or carry on, living a settled life in the community.

Applications are made to your local authority. The test of eligibility for both community care grants and crisis grants is severity of need; qualifying means-tested benefits may be used to help decide if you are eligible, but are not a requirement.

If you are unhappy with a decision, you can ask for a review.

For more information, see: www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund .