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People applying for ‘crisis grants’ in Scotland at highest level
The Scottish government has seen a peak in the number of people applying for crisis funding, which was set up in response to UK government welfare cuts.
In 2018/19, 193,230 individuals applied for crisis grants, up 11% from the 174,295 who applied in the previous year.
Crisis loans are part of the Scottish Welfare Fund, established by the Scottish government in 2013 in response to the UK government abolishing two benefits – community care grants and crisis loans – for those in exceptional circumstances.
People on low incomes in Scotland can apply for a crisis grant in the case of an emergency or disaster, for example if there is a fire in their home or if they are at risk of sleeping on the street.
The amount of money paid out in crisis grants in Scotland is also at its highest ever rate, up 14% from £9.1m in 2017/18 to £10.3m in 2018/19.
The Scottish Welfare Fund is part of an annual package of over £125m to mitigate against the impact of UK government welfare cuts.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Scottish secretary for social security and older people, said: “We would much rather these resources were invested in anti-poverty measures than protecting our people from government’s cuts – a position the UN special rapporteur on poverty recently described as outrageous and unsustainable.
“The fact that so many households in Scotland are in need of emergency financial help is appalling, and a sad indictment of the UK government’s record on austerity and welfare changes.
“As their welfare cuts continue to cause harm and damage, we continue to do our best to mitigate against them and provide financial support to low-income families and carers through new social security benefits.”
