Anti-poverty charities are calling for a major boost for welfare support to help ease a “huge crisis of income” in the coronavirus pandemic.
The group, including Citizens Advice Scotland, said the SNP Government’s Scottish Welfare Fund is a lifeline for people in need.
The fund awards grants for people in financial emergencies. It was expanded with £3million in the budget after being frozen for seven years.
Demand is rising and campaigners fear it will go further as the Covid-19 restrictions hit jobs, income and health.
Mhoraig Green, CAS spokeswoman for social justice, said: “Our data suggests people are facing a huge crisis of income, often going without paying essential bills or buying food as a result of a lack of cash.
“This is all before the possible economic effects of coronavirus take place, with people facing disruptions in their income by not being able to work.”
Previous research for the charity also shows that 34% of people could not cover an unexpected but necessary expense of £500.
The group, which has welcomed the previous fund increase, also includes the Poverty Alliance, Oxfam Scotland and the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland.
Peter Kelly, of the Poverty Alliance, said: “Before the coronavirus hit, rising numbers of people struggling to make ends meet were already leading to unprecedented demand on the Scottish Welfare Fund, which provides immediate support to people facing income crisis.
“In the coming months we expect to see thousands of people plunged into destitution unless we significantly increase this vital safety net. The Scottish Government should immediately top-up the Scottish Welfare Fund and commit to continually review funding to meet demand.”
John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group, said: “Families who are already struggling to get by are now facing a massive increase in the risk of being left without enough money to feed their children and pay essential bills.”
