Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: update to 31 March 2026

During 2025-26, local authorities awarded households a total of £52.0 million in Scottish Welfare Fund grants. More than a third of households receiving an award were families with children, while half were single person households with no children. Since the scheme started in 2013, £546.8 million has been spent.

In 2025-26, local authorities received 79,490 applications for Community Care Grants (1% fewer than 2024-25) and made 41,840 awards (11% more than 2024-25). Expenditure on Community Care Grant awards totalled £30.1 million, which is 3% more than 2024-25. The average award was £720.

At the same time, local authorities received 258,490 applications for Crisis Grants (6% more than 2024-25) and made 167,990 awards (9% more than 2024-25). Expenditure on Crisis Grant awards totalled £21.9 million, 26% more than 2024-25. The average award was £130.

Local authorities were allocated £41.0 million for Scottish Welfare Fund awards in 2025-26, consisting of an original £35.5 million, supplemented by an additional £5.5 million late in 2025. There was also an estimated underspend of £10.0 million carried forward from 2024-25, giving an estimated budget of £51.0 million for 2025-26. Local authorities spent a total of £52.0 million (102%) by year end; 14 of 32 local authorities overspent. This compares to a relative spend in 2024-25 of 85%, where four local authorities overspent. These local authorities may have used money from other sources to supplement their Scottish Welfare Fund budget.

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.