What grants are currently available in Scotland?

Scotland offers a wide range of grants to support people in financial difficulty. The grants offer valuable help to a variety of groups, including parents and families, those on low incomes, and people with disabilities.

If you need expert advice on the most appropriate support for you, our expert team at Scotland Debt Solutions can provide the information and guidance you need.

Help if you’re self-isolating

Self-Isolation Support Grant

Help is available for those struggling financially during the Covid-19 pandemic. If you’re on a low income and have been told to self-isolate by Test and Protect or the Incident Management Team, you may be eligible for a Self Isolation Support Grant of £500 under the Scottish Welfare Fund.

If you’re eligible, you should apply through your local council within 28-days of the start of your self-isolation - if your application is accepted you should receive the grant within three days.

Heating and housing

Housing benefit

If you rent your home but can’t afford to keep up with the payments, whether as a private sector or local council tenant, you may be able to claim housing benefit. Your individual circumstances will be assessed, and if you’re eligible you could receive help with all or part of your rent from the local council.

Local Housing Allowance (LHA)

If you’re a private tenant this benefit may be called Local Housing Allowance. It can help with your rent costs, and the amount you receive depends on your area and how many rooms you need. Again, you apply through your local authority for this allowance.

Discretionary Housing Payment

You may qualify for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) if you rent your home and receive Universal Credit or Housing Benefit. It can be used in instances where you can’t afford to pay your rent or a rent deposit, or you need assistance with removals costs.

You’ll need to apply to your local council for a Discretionary Housing Payment, and you can find out if you’re eligible by going to the local authority’s website. If they grant a payment, the local council also decides on how it’s paid – whether to your bank account, for example, or directly to your landlord.

Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS)

The HEEPS scheme aims to provide energy-efficient and warmer homes, and reduce ‘fuel poverty.’ Government funding for solid wall insulation, new boilers, draught proofing, and other forms of insulation, could help to improve your home and keep your household warm.

Warmer Homes Scotland

Aimed at private sector tenants or owner-occupiers in Scotland, this government-funded initiative helps to make heating costs more affordable by increasing the energy-efficiency of homes through installation of new boilers, insulation, and renewable heating systems.

Winter Fuel Payments

You may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300 if you were born on or before 5^th October 1954. If you already receive your State Pension, or claim a state benefit other than Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction, you’ll automatically receive a Winter Fuel Payment.

Parents and families

COVID Spring Hardship Payment

If your child or children receives free school meals, you may be eligible for a COVID Spring Hardship Payment of £100 for each child. The council should make the payment to your bank account automatically if your child already receives free school meals.

Scottish Child Payment

This is a weekly payment of £10 for each child in your family under the age of six, and it’s paid on a four-week basis. You can apply for the Scottish Child Payment online, or in certain circumstances, by phone or post.

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods

Best Start Grants

There are three separate Best Start Grant Payments –

• Pregnancy and Baby Payment – from the 24^th week of pregnancy until the baby is 6 months old
• Early Learning Payment – from the ages of two, and three years six months
• School Age Payment – application timescales depend on when your child was born, with the latest application date currently being 28^th February 2022.

Best Start Foods

This is a prepaid card intended to provide healthy food for children aged three and under, and you can apply for this online.

Young Carer Grant

Young carers who are 16, 17, or 18 years of age may be eligible for an annual grant of £305.10 if they’ve been caring for up to three people for 16 hours a week on average for the last three months.

Disability

ILF Scotland Transition Fund

If you’re aged between 15 and 25 and have a disability, you may be able to apply to the Transition Fund for up to £750 to help you learn a new skill or start a new activity. This could include taking music or art classes, for example, or driving lessons.

Low income families

Scottish Welfare Fund

The Scottish Welfare Fund is intended to help people and families on low incomes, and includes:

• Crisis Grant – to help with costs following an emergency, such as a fire or flood at your home, or if you’ve been made redundant and have priority bills due imminently. You can apply for a Crisis Grant through your local council.
• Community Care Grant – you may be eligible if you’re homeless or you’re leaving care and you need financial help to start a settled home. If you’re escaping domestic abuse, or your child’s health is at risk, you may also be able to claim this grant. Again, you need to apply through your local authority.
• Self-Isolation Support Grant – the grant for people on low incomes who are required to self-isolate - as described earlier.

Scotland Debt Solutions can provide more information on the grants currently available in Scotland, and guide you towards the most appropriate for your needs. Please get in touch with our expert team – we can offer you a free, same-day consultation and work from offices around Scotland.