Almost 400 welfare payments paid out

Low income households across South Lanarkshire have benefitted from £139,000 in grants in the first three months of this financial year.

New figures show that 383 payments were made under the Scottish Government’s welfare fund, administered by the local authority.

Between April and June 2016 182 community care grants were issued to help households facing exceptional pressures.

It also supported vulnerable people to set up home and pay for items such as furniture, household equipment like a cooker or a washing machine, removal expenses, and storage charges.

A further 201 crisis grants were also given to people experiencing a sudden loss of income as a result of a disaster, such as fire or flooding.

The payments issued in the first quarter of the year are amongst the thousands that have been paid out since the Welfare Fund was established in April 2013. Since then South Lanarkshire Council has paid out £7.721million to struggling families.

Across Scotland £107 million worth of grants has been given to around 217,000 households.

The payments issued in the first quarter of the financial year mark come three years after the Scottish Government launched the Welfare Fund.

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said:“The Scottish Welfare Fund continues to provide a vital lifeline to people during their time of need and help buy everyday items, such as food or nappies, that many of us take for granted.

“This funding is essential to help people cope with the harsh ongoing cuts by the UK Government to the welfare system which is pushing more and more people into crisis.

“Since it was set up, support has been given to around 217,000 households across Scotland, and these figures show that it is helping to make sure funds get to those who need it most.

“This can be especially important in times of desperation or emergency, such as flooding, or when people have been affected by delays in benefits.”