Published on:
28
July 2014
Clackmannanshire Council has been providing the Scottish Welfare Fund since April last year. Now local residents can apply to the fund online via ClacksWeb.
The Scottish Welfare Fund replaced the discretionary Social Fund provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. It provides grants, not loans.
In common with other local authorities, demand for both the Community Care Grant and Crisis Grants has been lower than anticipated during the first year. Overall actual expenditure at the end of March 2014 was £324,122, 90% of the available Scottish Welfare Fund funds for the year 2013-14.
Depute Leader Councillor Donald Balsillie said: "Clackmannanshire Council is committed to providing information and services electronically to help our customers in a variety of ways.
"These online services range from paying your Council Tax to booking a badminton court. Now local residents in crisis can apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund at anytime of the day or night.
"Online services are not intended to replace existing ways you contact the Council. Instead they offer another option for you to send us information 24/7 without the hassle of visiting a Council office."
Crisis Grants can be awarded in a crisis to meet expenses that have arisen as a result of an emergency or disaster in order to avoid an immediate threat to health or safety. Applications can be made for living expenses for essential items such as food, heating costs, nappies, toiletries, travel and temporary accommodation costs.
Community Care Grants can support independent living, preventing the need for institutional care. Applications can be made for essential items such as furniture, household equipment, travel costs, removal expenses, storage charges, connection charges for gas and electricity.
More information and online application is available on ClacksWeb