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Financial help for individuals

Information on what you could claim to help you financially during the Coronavirus pandemic

Hand holding money

Scottish Welfare Fund

Crisis Grants

Crisis Grants provide money for people who are in crisis because of a disaster or an emergency, such as COVID-19. who have been left without funds for essential items such as food and fuel. We will try to get back to you as soon as we can but may not be able to meet the usual 24-hour turnaround and we appreciate your patience at this time.

Community Care Grants

Community Care Grants help people who may have to go into care unless they get some support to stay at home or if they are leaving any form of care and need help to set-up their own home. Awards may be given for goods and services. Applications will be processed within 15 working days.


Universal Credit

You may be entitled to Universal Credit to cover your living costs and your rent if you've been made redundant or laid off. How much you will get depends on your circumstances (such as whether you have children, your partner's income, or any other income / savings you have).

You will also be asked if you wish to also claim a Council Tax Reduction which you should do. Contact us to advise that you have made a claim and wish to claim a Council Tax Reduction as soon as possible:


Provide your full name, date of birth, National insurance Number and address.

Additional notes

  • You normally need to attend an appointment at the Jobcentre to provide proof of ID and proof of rent and any income or savings
  • Claiming as a jobseeker usually means looking for work and signing on, but follow the advice provided by the Department of Work and Pensions or your Work Coach
  • You are likely to have enough National Insurance contributions to qualify for contributions-based (new style) Jobseeker's Allowance if you have worked without too many gaps for the last 2 or 3 years and you can make a claim for this by calling 0800 055 6688
  • You may also qualify for a top-up of Universal Credit, such as for your rent, unless you already claim Housing Benefit.


Self-isolating / ill due to COVID-19 (or caring for someone who is)

Case 1 - if you are employed

  • Claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer. You will be paid from Day1. Your employer may also provide additional contractual sick pay.
  • Phone NHS 111 for a fit note (instead of your GP) to give to your employer.
  • Once SSP comes to an end after 28 weeks (not before), see Case2

Case 2: If you have been laid off

  • If you have enough NI contributions, you may be able to claim contributions, you may be able to claim contributory (new style) Employment Support Allowance (ESA). You can make a claim by phoning 0800 055 6688.
  • If you don't have enough NI contributions or if you also have rent costs, claim Universal Credit. Apply online www.gov.uk/apply-universal-credit or phone 0800 328 5644.
  • You won't have to attend any appointments at the Jobcentre to start your claim and won't have to attend any medicals to prove you are unfit for work if you are affected by the coronavirus.


Contact us to advise that you have made a claim and wish to claim a Council Tax Reduction as soon as possible:

Provide your full name, date of birth, National insurance Number and address.


Waiting for a medical for ESA/PIP

All face to face assessments for sickness and disability benefits have been suspended for 3 months with effect from 17 March 2020. You will be notified by the DWP about any alternative arrangements which may involve either telephone or paper-based assessments.

You won't have to attend any medical to prove you are unfit for work if you claimed ESA because you are affected by the coronavirus because you have symptoms or are self-isolating (or need to care someone who is).

You can get a fit note from NHS 111.


Self-Employed

You can claim Universal Credit:

The Minimum Income Floor won't apply to you for the duration of the outbreak if you claim Universal Credit and are directly affected by coronavirus or self-isolating. This means your actual self-employment earnings will be taken into account each month.

Contact us to advise that you have made a claim and wish to claim a Council Tax Reduction as soon as possible:


Provide your full name, date of birth, National insurance Number and address.


Westsound Cash for Kids appeal

Basic Essentials Family Grants are available from Westsound Cashe for Kids to organisations seeking to help the individual families they work with affected by poverty due to the Covid-19 virus. £35 per child is available for children up to and including the age of 16 as soon as funds are available.