Crisis and Community Care Grants - Scottish Welfare Fund

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Scottish Welfare Fund

The Scottish Welfare Fund was introduced on 1^st April 2013 as part of changes to the UK Government’s Social Fund scheme. As a result of these changes, crisis loans and community care grants which were formerly managed by the Department of Work and Pensions have now stopped. The new replacement fund consists of crisis grants and community care grants and will be delivered locally by Dundee City Council based on guidance from the Scottish Government.

Crisis Grants can provide you with a safety net in the event of a disaster or emergency.

Community Care Grants can help you to leave care and live on your own, or to continue living in your own home.

Details of Dundee City Council’s Scottish Welfare Fund scheme can be found in the leaflet Introducing the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Please see the Scottish Government's Guide to the Scottish Welfare Fund.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for a crisis grant or a community care grant online please click on the button.

You will need to allow pop ups to complete the application.

Apply for a Crisis/Community Care Grant

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You can also make a telephone application by phoning 01382 431188.

Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 4:30pm

Housing costs for 18 to 21 year olds

From 8 November 2017 full digital service Universal Credit was launched in the Dundee area. Under this some 18 to 21 year olds are not eligible for housing costs.

The Scottish Government has agreed, as an interim measure, to help 18 to 21 year olds affected by these changes by allowing Community Care Grants to be used to pay their housing costs.

To be eligible you must be:

18 to 21 years old
claiming Universal Credit as a single person
subject to all work-related requirements
not covered by a DWP exemption

You must be setting up or maintaining an established home in the community and there must be some risk that without help you will be unable to do this. You must have no means of paying your rent and be at risk of homelessness without an award.

If you receive an award for your housing costs these will be paid directly to your landlord.

Community Care Grant and Crisis Grant Reviews

If you disagree with a Community Care Grant or Crisis Grant decision you can ask for a review. There are 2 stages to the review process, a 1st tier review must be put in writing to:-

Dundee City Council
Scottish Welfare Fund
Dundee House
50 North Lindsay Street
Dundee
DD1 1QE

The DWP will still deal with the following payments:

Sure Start maternity grants
funeral payments
cold weather payments
winter fuel payments
budgeting loans (these will be known as budgeting advances under universal credit)
short-term advances of benefit

Crisis and Community Care Grants - Scottish Welfare Fund

Related Links

Dundee City Council