Apply for Scottish Welfare Fund assistance

You can use this form to make an application for Scottish Welfare Fund assistance

If you live within, or intend to live within the West Lothian Council area you may be entitled to assistance from the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Types of grants available:

• Crisis Grant (emergency) - to help with living expenses that have arisen as the result of an emergency. This is usually a cash payment.

• Crisis Grant (disaster) - to meet one-off expenses that have arisen as a result of a disaster. An example of disaster is - a serious flood or fire which causes substantial damage, loss or destruction to possessions or property. If awarded items/services are provided by our contracted supplier and no cash equivalent will be given.

• Community Care Grant - to help establish or maintain a settled home or to support individuals and families facing exceptional pressure. If awarded items/services are provided by our contracted supplier and no cash equivalent will be given.

Supporting evidence required to assist with the assessment of the application :

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING SECTION CAREFULLY AND UPLOAD ALL THE REQUESTED INFORMATION. It you fail to provide evidence to support the information contained in your application form the council may not be able to make an award. A decision on your entitlement will be based on the information contained in your application form only.

• Bank print showing the last 30 days transactions, this will confirm the date of all benefit payments. It should show the date of all income/benefit payments.

• If you are not a British citizen you need to provide proof that you are entitled to public funds.

       - If you are an EU citizen please provide a current share code.  This can be obtained by searching on the option
         'something else' on the following website View and prove your immigration status: get a share code - GOV.UK

       - if you are not an EU citizen please provide evidence of your entitlement to public funds, for example your passport,
         biometric card or share code.

• If you are not the tenant or owner of the property you reside in please provide a signed letter from the person you live with to confirm that you are resident in the property.

• If you are applying to the Fund because you have purchased an essential item please provide proof of purchase.

All of the above information can be uploaded at the end of the application form.

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