Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: update to 31 March 2026
The annual update of Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics for 2025-26. This includes annual statistics on Community Care Grants and Crisis grants from 2013, as well as quarterly breakdowns from 2021.
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In 2025-26 the most common Community Care Grant expenditure remained on floor coverings, beds, bedding, and electrical appliances such as washing machines, cookers, fridges and freezers (Table 44). There has been some variability in the numbers of items awarded, with notable increases in the number of wardrobes, and tables and chairs being awarded, and large decreases in cookers, saucepans and kitchen utensils. The amounts being spent have changed similarly (Table 46).
As in previous years, the most common specified Crisis Grant awards were for food, essential heating expenses and other living expenses (Table 48). The amount spent on food increased by 30% to £13.6 million in 2025-26, accounting for 62% of Crisis Grant expenditure; the amount spent on essential heating costs increased by 15% in common with large increases seen for most items, likely an effect of the new UC Essentials Guarantee being added to the guidance, although inflation is also relevant. Overall Crisis Grant spending reached a new peak. (Table 50).
The most common payment method for Community Care Grants remained provision of new goods (53% of payments, Table 52). Cash remained the most common payment method for Crisis Grants (48% of payments) (Table 54).