COVID-19 self isolation grants: FOI release

Information requested

A breakdown of COVID self isolation grants issued by the local authority on behalf of the Scottish Government.

1. How many grants have been issued (per local authority)  since the start of the pandemic until the end of the grant provision in March 2022?

2. What has been the average time taken (broken down on month by month basis) from applicant filling out the form to receiving the money in their bank account?

3. How many applications have been denied access to COVID self isolation grants?

4. How much money has been allocated for COVID self isolation broken down by local authority?

Response

In relation to your request number 1 and 4. Most of the information you have requested is available from the Scottish Government website and can be found here:

Scottish Welfare Fund statistics: update to 30 September 2021 - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) This provides Scottish Welfare Fund statistics until November (LA-level SISG application/awards/spend figures are in table 46). The same link will be updated on 26 April 2022 and will provide you with updated figures to February 2022.

An exemption under section 27(1) of FOISA applies to some of the information requested because we intend to publish that information on 26 April 2022, which is within 12 weeks of the date of your request. We consider that it is reasonable to withhold the information until that date, rather than release this routinely published information before the planned publication date.

Scottish Welfare Fund, Self-Isolation Support Grant and Discretionary Housing Payments: monthly data- gov.scot (www.gov.scot). This provides you with Scotland level figures to February 2022 (applications, awards, spend and rate of awards to applications).

Unfortunately I am unable to provide you with data for March 2022 as this information has not yet been collected from Local Authorities.

Any historical data out with the time periods in the documents above can be found here: Scottish Government Social Security statistics publications - gov.scot (www.gov.scot).

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

In relation to your request number 2. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not hold details of processing times from application to payment. However, you may wish to contact each local authority who may be able to help you with this request.

In relation to your request numbered 3. As the Self-Isolation Support Grant (SISG) is delivered within the Scottish Welfare Fund, it is a fully open application system and anyone requiring support to access the scheme will be provided with the appropriate assistance by their Local Authority on request. We therefore do not hold details on those who have been denied access to the SISG.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.