Service Update
The Scottish Welfare Fund will be closed on:
- 25, 26, and 27 December 2024.
- 1, 2, and 3 January 2025.
Crisis Grant applications submitted during this time will be processed as follows:
- Applications made between 25-27 December will be treated as submitted on Monday, 30 December 2024, and processed within 4 working days (excluding weekends and public holidays)
- Applications made between 1-3 January will be treated as submitted on Monday, 6 January 2025, and processed within 4 working days
For applications submitted before the public holiday closures:
- Crisis Grants are currently processed within 4 working days.
Please note: Processing times may vary depending on the volume of applications. Weekends and public holidays are excluded from these timescales.
Crisis Grants, delivered through the Scottish Welfare Fund, are in place to help you cope with the unexpected expenses until your get your next income.
We can offer help with emergency living costs, such as:
- food
- gas and electricity
- toiletries
Crisis Grants can also help if you've experienced a disaster, such as a fire or flood.
Current processing timescales for Crisis Grants
As of 20th December 2024, we are currently working on applications received 16th December 2024.
Please do not contact us if you have applied after this date.
Crisis Grants FAQ
Crisis grants can help keep you and your family safe from harm in a one-off crisis.
You might be able to apply for a crisis grant if you’ve had an emergency, for example, running out of food, might be caused by a sudden loss of income, or if you’ve suffered from a disaster like a serious fire or flood causing substantial damage. If you are awarded we may be able to help you out until you receive your next income.
Back To TopAnyone who’s suffered an emergency or disaster and is struggling with the expense can apply. It can help pay for the things someone needs to prevent harm to them or their family’s health or safety because of an emergency or disaster.
Applications can be made for living expenses and essential items such as food, heating costs, nappies, toiletries if the applicant is in temporary accommodation.
The grants are designed to help people who are on a low income, so you can apply even if you don’t claim benefits. We give you a grant and not a loan, so you don’t need to pay it back.
Back To TopCrisis awards can be made only 3 times within a 12 month period, but we can use discretion if your circumstances significantly change after this. Crisis grants are not in place to meet a continued short-fall in your income.
If you have applied before for the same goods/services, you can only apply again after 28 days of your application, unless there has been a relevant change in your circumstances.
If you claimed a benefit from The Department for Working and Pensions or at your Job Centre and you are waiting for your first payment, you should contact them first for a Short Term Benefit Advance.
Back To TopTo be eligible to apply for a Crisis Grant through the SWF, you must be over the age of 16, resident in Fife, and be on a low income.
**Please be aware there is a 1-hour timeout when completing the application, please have all personal and financial details to hand, prior to starting your application.**
- Crisis Grants – The quickest and easiest way to apply for a crisis grant is by using our online facility – Apply online If you do not have internet access, you can still call us on 0300 555 0265, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 2.30 pm. Calls to 0300 cost no more than the national rate.
Once you’ve applied, Fife Council will contact you within 1 working day of the date you have applied for a Crisis Grant. Please be aware that due to the current volume of applications being received, the timescale for contact from us may increase up to 3 working days.
Back To TopIf you qualify for a grant, you will be awarded in one of three ways:
- A chip and pin card loaded with a predetermined amount to pay for large awards
- Goods, such as items of furniture delivered and installed direct from the contractor to you
- A voucher that can be redeemed for money or energy top up for prepayment meters (PayPoint Store Locator)
You can find out how we manage the personal information you provide by reading the privacy policy
