Scottish Welfare Fund: Crisis Grants (mygov.scot)
You apply to your local council for a Crisis Grant: a one-off grant for an emergency, for example if you need help to get food or with heating costs, if there is a fire or flood at home, or if you face a gap in your income after a redundancy or a change at work. You do not need to pay it back.
Good to know
Most councils say they will tell you the outcome of your application within 2 working days, but some are taking longer. You need to be 16 or older and on a low income, which does not mean you need to be on benefits. You can get 3 Crisis Grants in a 12 month period unless exceptional circumstances apply. The page lists each council's own page to apply.
Before you call
They can
- send you to your own council's page to apply: the page lists every council
- tell you that your council may also take applications by paper form, email or phone, and can help if you cannot apply online
- explain that a Crisis Grant can cover food or heating costs, a fire or flood, or a gap in income after a redundancy or a change at work, and that you do not pay it back
They cannot
- take your application: you cannot apply through the Scottish Government, only through your local council
- give regular income: Crisis Grants are one-off payments
- give more than 3 Crisis Grants in a 12 month period, unless exceptional circumstances apply
In the emergency guides: My benefits were stopped, cut or refused → · A flood, fire or storm hit my home → · I just lost my job → · I have no money for food → · I got a shutoff notice →
- Website
- https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund/crisis-grants
- Hours
- Website, any time. You apply to your local council.
- Coverage
- Scotland
- Languages
- English
- Last checked
- October 10, 2026
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