Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: update to 30 June 2026

In the latest quarter, local authorities awarded households a total of £12.6 million in Scottish Welfare Fund grants. Around a third of awards were made to families with children, while more than half were made to single person households with no children.

During April to June 2026, local authorities received 18,940 applications for Community Care Grants, an decrease of 4% compared to April to June 2025. Local authorities made 9,765 Community Care Grant awards, spending £7.0 million, both decreases, of 8% and 15% respectively, compared to April to June 2025. At the same time, local authorities received 66,580 Crisis Grant applications in April to June 2026, an increase of 8% compared to April to June 2025. At the same time, local authorities made 42,605 Crisis Grant awards, a 5% increase, spending £5.6 million, 8% more than in April to June 2025.

During April to June 2026, 13% of Community Care Grant awards were repeats, and 65% of Crisis Grant awards were repeats, 2% and 5% increases respectively compared to April to June 2025.

From April to June 2026, 91% of Community Care Grant applications and 97% of Crisis Grant applications were processed within target times.

Local authorities have been allocated £35.5 million for Scottish Welfare Fund awards in 2026-27. There was also an estimated underspend of £5.9 million carried forward from 2025-26. Of the estimated total £41.4 million available for awards, £12.6 million (30%) had been spent in the first three months of the year.

The UC Essentials Guarantee, which sets out rates of award for Crisis Grants, was added to the statutory guidance for 2025-26, and this appears to have increased the average value of awards. The Essentials Guarantee sets a minimum amount a person or couple should receive each week so that they are able to afford what are deemed to be the essentials, such as enough food, heating or clothes. Crisis Grants have increased to ensure this guarantee is being met.