WIREDGOV

Over 56,000 households have been helped by the Scottish Welfare Fund, during its first nine months of operation. Between 1 April 2013 and 31 December 2013, a total of £18 million was allocated, providing a safety net to households in a disaster or emergency and helping people set up home or stay in the community rather than being in care.

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today released statistics on the first nine months of the Scottish Welfare Fund. The statistics showed that of over 56,000 households helped, almost 32,000 were single people and nearly 16,000 were families with children.

The Scottish Welfare Fund comprises of Community Care Grants – which helps people to live independently – and Crisis Grants, which provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency. In the first nine months of the scheme, 21,100 households received a total of 22,400 awards for Community Care Grants, averaging £640 per award. The awards were typically for white goods, furnishings and floor coverings.

In addition 40,000 households – including 5,000 households who’d also received Community Care Grants - received a total of 54,000 Crisis Grant awards, averaging £69 per award. For Crisis Grants, most expenditure was on food, essential heating costs and other living expenses.

The figures released today were produced by independent statistical staff free from any political interference, in accordance with professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics.