Latest news with #CommunityCareGrants
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Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Households Support Fund 2025: UK families urged to apply
The Household Support Fund where you are: Scotland In Scotland, support is provided through programs such as the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. The Scottish Welfare Fund offers Crisis Grants for emergencies and Community Care Grants for essential household items. Additional cost-of-living support is distributed through local councils and targeted schemes such as the Fuel Insecurity Fund, which helps with energy costs. Eligibility and application processes vary but generally focus on low-income households and those receiving benefits. Wales Wales uses a combination of the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) and council-administered programs to assist struggling households. The DAF provides Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) for essential costs, such as food or energy, and Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) for essential household items. The Welsh government has also introduced targeted cost-of-living payments and energy bill support. Applications for DAF are made online, by phone or via support agencies, with funding typically targeted at low-income individuals and families. Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, support is available through schemes like Discretionary Support Payments and Additional Financial Support Grants Discretionary Support Payments provide short-term financial aid for those in a crisis or emergency situation. Fuel support and cost-of-living payments have been implemented as part of broader government initiatives to tackle poverty and rising energy costs. Applications are made through the Department for Communities or local councils, and eligibility often depends on income and household circumstances.
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Scotsman
2 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Households Support Fund 2025: UK families urged to apply
The Household Support Fund where you are: Scotland In Scotland, support is provided through programs such as the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. The Scottish Welfare Fund offers Crisis Grants for emergencies and Community Care Grants for essential household items. Additional cost-of-living support is distributed through local councils and targeted schemes such as the Fuel Insecurity Fund, which helps with energy costs. Eligibility and application processes vary but generally focus on low-income households and those receiving benefits. Wales Wales uses a combination of the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) and council-administered programs to assist struggling households. The DAF provides Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) for essential costs, such as food or energy, and Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) for essential household items. The Welsh government has also introduced targeted cost-of-living payments and energy bill support. Applications for DAF are made online, by phone or via support agencies, with funding typically targeted at low-income individuals and families. Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, support is available through schemes like Discretionary Support Payments and Additional Financial Support Grants Discretionary Support Payments provide short-term financial aid for those in a crisis or emergency situation. Fuel support and cost-of-living payments have been implemented as part of broader government initiatives to tackle poverty and rising energy costs. Applications are made through the Department for Communities or local councils, and eligibility often depends on income and household circumstances.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
West Lothian's share of national welfare fund stays the same despite rising demands
A report to the council's Executive offered some comfort that the council can carry over around £500,000 from last year's emergency funding. West Lothian's share of the national Scottish Welfare Fund has been kept at last year's level despite an expected growth in applications and rising costs. A report to the council's Executive offered some comfort that the council can carry over around £500,000 from last year's emergency funding. Evidence from last year showed that tightening the qualification for payouts from the fund did nothing to reduce the numbers qualifying. This year West Lothian has received £1,134,538 to cover funding and £171,715 administration funding. The carry forward budget for 2025/26 will increase the programme funding starting position to approximately £1.7 million. Local authorities have administered the Scottish Welfare Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government since April 2013. The fund consists of two grants: Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Crisis Grants meet short term financial emergencies and Community Care Grants provide furniture for homes to help applicants set up or maintain their home. In her report to the Executive, Nahid Hanif, the Anti-Poverty Service manager said: 'There are currently no Crisis Grants outstanding for 2024/25 but at the time of drafting this report there were 98 Community Care Grants still to process. 'The amount spent in 2024/25 is £1,120,274 (not including the 98 CCG cases still to be assessed). It is estimated that from the additional monies provided by SG in December 2024, a carry forward of approximately £550,000 will be realised after the residual cases are processed.' Ms Hanif added: 'It is important to note that the administration budget provided by Scottish Government does not cover the cost of running the Scottish Welfare Fund scheme' In the last year the Scottish Government provided admin costs of £251,715 (this included a one-off £80,000 provided along with the additional funding in November). However the actual cost to council was £471,618, with £219,903 funded from council coffers. For a six week period in the Autumn and Winter last year qualifications for help were reclassified from High to High Most Compelling ( HMC) because of the pressure on funds. It was only after the Scottish Government stepped in in late November and pumped more money into the national fund that qualification rules were relaxed back to High. The qualification remains as High for this year's funding though this may have to be reviewed as the year progresses. Ms Hanif said: 'The move to HMC did not reduce the number of applicants who met the qualifying criteria to be considered for a grant. However, savings are made because the amount of financial support or household goods awarded on HMC is significantly restricted because the applicant needs to be severely vulnerable and at extreme risk of losing their tenancy, or there is a severe risk to them or their families well-being. 'In comparison, on High Priority the applicant only needs to be highly vulnerable therefore is more likely to be awarded a slightly higher financial award or receive more household goods.' The report added that other changes introduced last month also relax income rules for qualification, tying them to the numbers in a household, thus potentially giving more leeway in the application process. Councillors on the Executive agreed the report with comment.
Edinburgh Reporter
01-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Welfare fund award pegged at last year's level
West Lothian's share of the national Scottish Welfare Fund has been kept at last year's level despite an expected growth in applications and rising costs. A report to the council's Executive offered some comfort that the council can carry over around £500,000 from last year's emergency funding. Evidence from last year showed that tightening the qualification for payouts from the fund did nothing to reduce the numbers qualifying. This year West Lothian has received £1,134,538 to cover funding and £171,715 administration funding. The carry forward budget for 2025/26 will increase the programme funding starting position to approximately £1,700,000. Local authorities have administered the Scottish Welfare Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government since April 2013. The fund consists of two grants: Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants. Crisis Grants meet short term financial emergencies and Community Care Grants provide furniture for homes to help applicants set up or maintain their home. In her report to the Executive, Nahid Hanif, the Anti-Poverty Service manager said: 'There are currently no Crisis Grants outstanding for 2024/25 but at the time of drafting this report there were 98 Community Care Grants still to process. 'The amount spent in 2024/25 is £1,120,274 (not including the 98 CCG cases still to be assessed). It is estimated that from the additional monies provided by SG in December 2024, a carry forward of approximately £550,000 will be realised after the residual cases are processed.' Ms Hanif added: 'It is important to note that the administration budget provided by Scottish Government does not cover the cost of running the Scottish Welfare Fund scheme' In the last year the Scottish Government provided admin costs of £251,715 (this included a one-off £80,000 provided along with the additional funding in November). However, the actual cost to council was £471,618, with £219,903 funded from council coffers. For a six-week period in the Autumn and Winter last year qualifications for help were reclassified from High to High Most Compelling (HMC) because of the pressure on funds. It was only after the Scottish Government stepped in in late November and pumped more money into the national fund that qualification rules were relaxed back to High. The qualification remains as High for this year's funding though this may have to be reviewed as the year progresses. Ms Hanif said: 'The move to HMC did not reduce the number of applicants who met the qualifying criteria to be considered for a grant. However, savings are made because the amount of financial support or household goods awarded on HMC is significantly restricted because the applicant needs to be severely vulnerable and at extreme risk of losing their tenancy, or there is a severe risk to them or their families well-being. 'In comparison, on High Priority the applicant only needs to be highly vulnerable therefore is more likely to be awarded a slightly higher financial award or receive more household goods.' The report added that other changes introduced last month also relax income rules for qualification, tying them to the numbers in a household, thus potentially giving more leeway in the application process. Councillors on the Executive agreed the report with comment. By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Live
01-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian's share of national welfare fund stays the same despite rising demands
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info West Lothian's share of the national Scottish Welfare Fund has been kept at last year's level despite an expected growth in applications and rising costs. A report to the council's Executive offered some comfort that the council can carry over around £500,000 from last year's emergency funding. Evidence from last year showed that tightening the qualification for pay-outs from the fund did nothing to reduce the numbers qualifying. This year West Lothian has received £1,134,538 to cover funding and £171,715 administration funding. The carry forward budget for 2025/26 will increase the programme funding starting position to approximately £1,700,000. Local authorities have administered the Scottish Welfare Fund on behalf of the Scottish Government since April 2013. The fund consists of two grants: Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants . Crisis Grants meet short term financial emergencies and Community Care Grants provide furniture for homes to help applicants set up or maintain their home. In her report to the Executive, Nahid Hanif , the Anti-Poverty Service manager said: 'There are currently no Crisis Grants outstanding for 2024/25 but at the time of drafting this report there were 98 Community Care Grants still to process. 'The amount spent in 2024/25 is £1,120,274 (not including the 98 CCG cases still to be assessed). It is estimated that from the additional monies provided by SG in December 2024, a carry forward of approximately £550,000 will be realised after the residual cases are processed.' Ms Hanif added: 'It is important to note that the administration budget provided by Scottish Government does not cover the cost of running the Scottish Welfare Fund scheme' In the last year the Scottish Government provided admin costs of £251,715 (this included a one-off £80,000 provided along with the additional funding in November). However the actual cost to council was £471,618, with £219,903 funded from council coffers. For a six week period in the Autumn and Winter last year qualifications for help were reclassified from High to High Most Compelling ( HMC) because of the pressure on funds. It was only after the Scottish Government stepped in in late November and pumped more money into the national fund that qualification rules were relaxed back to High. The qualification remains as High for this year's funding though this may have to be reviewed as the year progresses. Ms Hanif said: 'The move to HMC did not reduce the number of applicants who met the qualifying criteria to be considered for a grant. However, savings are made because the amount of financial support or household goods awarded on HMC is significantly restricted because the applicant needs to be severely vulnerable and at extreme risk of losing their tenancy, or there is a severe risk to them or their families well-being. 'In comparison, on High Priority the applicant only needs to be highly vulnerable therefore is more likely to be awarded a slightly higher financial award or receive more household goods.' The report added that other changes introduced last month also relax income rules for qualification, tying them to the numbers in a household, thus potentially giving more leeway in the application process. Councillors on the Executive agreed the report with comment.
