Scottish Welfare Fund
New statistics show number of households in Dumfries & Galloway receiving help.
1,394 applications for welfare assistance were made in Dumfries & Galloway in the last year according to new statistics.
Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics to 30 September 2014 show that during the most recent quarter (July to September 2014), applications made to the Scottish Welfare Fund increased by 7 per cent on the same quarter last year.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Alex Neil said: “That anyone should live in poverty in a wealthy country is completely unacceptable and we’ll continue to tackle poverty and inequality to create a more prosperous and fairer society.
“The Scottish Welfare Fund is a lifeline for people to buy the everyday items or cover basic living costs that so many of us take for granted. 2,990 households in Dumfries & Galloway have now been helped by the Scottish Welfare Fund in its first 18 months of operation.
“The Scottish Government has allocated £33 million a year to the Scottish Welfare Fund to make sure that we continue to reach out to households in the most deprived areas. Many families are paying a heavy price for the UK Government’s welfare reforms and this investment helps to mitigate the effects of these cuts on some of our most vulnerable people.”
Background
Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics to 30 September 2014 are available at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Social-Welfare/swf
In April 2013, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) abolished two elements of the Social Fund – Community Care Grants and Crisis Loans – and transferred funds previously spent on them to Scottish Ministers. In its place, the Scottish Government established the Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF). The Scottish Welfare Fund is a national scheme run by local authorities, based on guidance from Scottish Ministers. The guidance has been developed in partnership with COSLA, local authorities and other stakeholders.
Scottish Government funding for the Scottish Welfare Fund is £33 million in 2013-14, £33 million in 2014-15 and £33 million in 2015-16.
