Over 120,000 Scottish households applied for welfare

Maybe shocking to some people when considering the slowly improving economy, the number of families seeking help from welfare in Scotland has increased by about 33 per cent. According to government statistics, during 2014, over 50,000 applications were made to the local authorities for some form of grant.

The government has done a good job in awarding funds as well. In total, about 60 per cent of those who have applied were given an award from the scheme. This was made up of almost 26,000 Crisis Grants and over 11,000 Community Care awards. The funds were issued for a number of different needs as well, as the authorities have been generous in allocating funds to the vulnerable.

The Scottish Government Welfare Fund Statistics show that more people were awarded crisis grants than any other form of assistance. The average award (payment) was £70. While the amount paid does not seem to be too high, the grants can offer short term relief to those that are struggling. On the other hand, the 11,000 households that were awarded a community care payment were given about £600 in goods. The funds can be used for a number of expenses, and find out more on the Scottish welfare fund.

History of the service

Since the scheme was created, over 120,000 have been assisted. They have been provided a grant or some other form of support. This is equal to about 5 per cent of the population, and this is only over 18 months. So the usage of the £33 million a year programme has been very high.

The welfare scheme also shows the income inequality across Scotland. Around 50 per cent of the awards went to only 20% of the country. So welfare is most needed in deprived regions where more people are still struggling.

The government would like to address this disparity. The statistics show that all too many are not keeping up with the improving economy, and the Cabinet Secretary has stated this is unacceptable to them. They want to help those in poverty by continuing to refer people to advice services for addressing the cause of their hardship.

Even with the status of welfare still unclear in the UK, the county is taking its own steps to ensure roll backs due not occur. In fact, the government is trying to make this entitlement a law as part of The Welfare Funds (Scotland) Bill. So this new bill should help alleviate the concern of the tens of thousands of vulnerable families that welfare may be going away, as the government is trying all they can to keep it active.