
Who Is It For?
Anyone aged 16 or older who is on a low income, OR getting certain benefits, can apply for a grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund.
There are different grants you can apply for depending on your circumstances. You do not need to pay these grants back.
Crisis Grants
These are available if you have a disaster or emergency and need help to keep yourself or your family safe from harm.
Crisis grants maybe available if you:-
- have a fire or flood at home
- are visiting a sick child in hospital
- move away from an abusive partner
- have lost all your money or been a victim of theft or fraud
- are a grandparent taking on caring responsibilities and waiting for benefits to be transferred across.
Crisis grants should be processed within two days. These are one-off payments and cannot support your income long term.
Community Care Grants
Community Care grants maybe available if you:
- are about to leave care to live on your own in the community
- face going into care because you don’t what you need to continue living at home
- require help because you are struggling to provide a safe and secure home for yourself or your family
- need help to get essential household items like a cooker or washing machine and don’t have the money to buy them
- you’re caring for someone who has been released from prison or a young offenders’ institute
Community Care grants should be processed within 21 days.
How Do I Apply?
Complete the online application form at https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/welfarefund
Alternatively you can apply over the phone on 01389 737640.
Phone lines are open from 9am – 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 3:30 pm on a Friday.
Anything Else I Should Know?
Crisis grants will be paid via a Paypoint.
If you have savings of over £700, or £1,200 if you get a pension, you’ll be less likely to get a Community Care Grant.
West Dunbartonshire Council will decide.
To check what benefits you are entitled to visit www.entitledto.co.uk/help or www.benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk
The information in this article was accurate at time of publication in March 2023