Scottish Welfare Fund

Crisis grant

A crisis grant is a sum of money given by the Scottish Welfare Fund in a crisis. The grant is tax free and you don't have to pay back.

Apply for a crisis grant online or call the Scottish Welfare Fund on 0131 529 5299.

The opening times are

  • Monday to Thursday 10am to 4.45pm
  • Friday 10am to 3.40pm

If you have made a claim for a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit and you have not received a payment yet, you should apply for a DWP Hardship Payment, a Short Term Benefit Advance or a Universal Credit advance payment before applying for a Crisis Grant.

You won't qualify for a grant if you have already applied for the same item in the last 28 days, unless your circumstances have changed.

If you are successful in receiving a grant you will get a text message with a code that can be used to redeem a cash award from a PayPoint vendor. Find your nearest PayPoint by searching for your postcode. If you are unable to redeem a PayPoint voucher, we can also pay directly into a bank account.

We aim to make a decision on your crisis grant application by 4.45pm the next working day.

Scottish Welfare Fund team

Address: Waverley Court,
4 East Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BG

Telephone: 0131 529 5299