Welfare funds
I11Welfare funds
Each local authority is to maintain a fund (called a “welfare fund”) comprising—
a
any grants paid into the fund by the Scottish Ministers, and
b
any amounts paid into the fund by the local authority.
I22Use of welfare funds: assistance for short term need and community care
1
A local authority may use its welfare fund only in order to provide occasional financial or other assistance to or in respect of individuals for the purposes of—
a
meeting, or helping to meet, an immediate short term need—
i
arising out of an exceptional event or exceptional circumstances, and
ii
that requires to be met to avoid a risk to the wellbeing of an individual, or
b
enabling qualifying individuals to establish or maintain a settled home.
2
“Qualifying individuals” means individuals who have been or, without the assistance, might otherwise be—
a
in prison, hospital, a residential care establishment or other institution, or
b
homeless or otherwise living an unsettled way of life.
3
The assistance which a local authority may use its welfare fund to provide does not include making loans.
4
A local authority may exercise its power under subsection (1) by making a payment to a third party with a view to the third party providing, or arranging the provision of, goods or services to or in respect of an individual.