Scottish Welfare Fund - Community Care Grants

Community care grants are discretionary grants provided by local councils in Scotland to help people live independently in the community. These grants are available to those on low income who need help to establish themselves in the community after being in hospital, care home or prison, stay in the community instead of going into care, set up home after homelessness, ease exceptional pressure on families, or care for someone else. Grants can cover furniture, household equipment, travel costs, removal costs, installation charges, and repairs of essential items. The grants do not need to be repaid and are distributed directly through goods or cash payments depending on local council procedures. Eligibility requires being aged 16 or over, on a low income, and living in or planning to move to the local council area. Priority levels are assigned based on need and vulnerability, and decisions are typically made within 15 working days.