The Scottish Welfare Fund made 25 crisis grant payments to people in Orkney in the last financial quarter – an increase of 93% on last year – to help pay for essentials such as food, heating costs, and household necessities. 

Latest figures show that the Scottish Welfare Fund has paid out a total of 465 crisis grants to households in Orkney since it was established 2013. 

The Scottish Welfare Fund awarded £5.2 million in crisis grants across Scotland between April and June 2020, up 77% on the same period last year – after Scottish Government increased the amount of funding available for the fund. 

Commenting Highlands and Islands local MSP Maree Todd, SNP said: 

“The Scottish Welfare Fund is an important example of the kind of action the SNP has taken to ensure there is additional financial support in place for people in Orkney coping with the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“This vital support stands in stark contrast to what is happening at Westminster, with Tory MPs voting to deprive children of free school meals, and robbing Scotland of crucial funding to support our most vulnerable. 

“While the Scottish Government works to improve provision for families in Orkney facing poverty, we continue to have to spend money to protect the most vulnerable in our communities from UK government benefit cuts. 

“For as welfare decisions remain at Westminster, the SNP will continue to do everything in our power to tackle poverty and support people in Orkney to get through this challenging time.”

The Scottish Welfare Fund helps families and people in Scotland who are on low incomes.

You can apply for a:

• Crisis Grant – if you’re in crisis because of a disaster (like a fire or flood), or an emergency (like losing your money or job, or an unexpected expense)
• Self-Isolation Support Grant – if you’ve been asked to self-isolate by Test and Protect because of coronavirus (COVID-19) and will lose income as a result
• Community Care Grant – to help you or someone you care for to start to live, or to carry on living, a settled life in the community

Scottish Welfare Fund Administered by Orkney Islands Council