Vulnerable island families need crisis grants to survive 22/10/14
Around 200 vulnerable island families in urgent need have been given help to buy everyday essentials like food, clothing, nappies, and cookers.
The Scottish Welfare Fund consists of Crisis Grants -
The new scheme was set up by the Scottish Government in April 2013 to tackle the worst impacts of Westminster’s welfare changes.
The initiative can enable people to live independently, preventing the need for institutional care.
Nearly £39,000 from the fund has been awarded to Western Isles households.
A further £26,843 is earmarked to help people in the islands up to April.
Some 65 local applications for community care grants have been approved with a recent average payment of £494 for things like floor coverings, cookers, washing machines, beds or settees.
Crisis Grants in the Western Isles average around £62 per award -
Across Scotland, more than 100,000 vulnerable households, including 32,000 families with children, have been helped by the fund which is underwritten by the UK and Scottish Governments.
The grants are delivered by local councils which have discretion to provide support in different ways. Not all grants will be cash payments. Local authorities may provide vouchers, a fuel card, or furniture if they think that is the best way to meet the need.
Scottish Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said: “It is heart breaking to see the impacts of welfare reforms laid bare, with people coming forward and applying for help to buy everything from food to shoes to beds.
"It is totally unacceptable that in a country as wealthy as Scotland anyone should be living in poverty and unable to afford items that many of us take for granted.
“These figures show that demand for the Welfare Fund is high and is reaching out to those in the most deprived areas of Scotland. That’s why it is important that we take forward our new Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill to set out how welfare funds will operate within local authorities to help those most in need.
“We have already set out in the Scottish Government’s submission to the Smith Commission that we need to have full responsibility over welfare and employment powers. Only full powers over welfare, employment and social policy will help us to tackle poverty and allow Scotland to become a fairer country.”