The SNP Government has reopened the Independent Living Fund, which supports disabled people, to new applicants after receiving £9 million investment as part of the 2024-25 Scottish Budget.
The initiative was closed to new applicants by the UK Tory Government in 2010, with payments to the 3,000 existing recipients taken over by the SNP Government in 2015.
Scottish Ministers committed to reopening the fund in September as part of the Programme for Government.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“I’m pleased that we will be able to help more disabled people in Scotland to lead full and independent lives as part of our continued support for social care services.”
Executive Officer of the Independent Living Fund Scotland Peter Scott OBE added:
“Following the very welcome Scottish budget announcement of an additional £9 million investment into ILF Scotland in the coming year, we will expand the work of our organisation and assist up to 1,000 more disabled people.
“Whilst we feel privileged to have the opportunity to re-open the Fund to new applicants, we do not underestimate the level of responsibility that accompanies it.
“We are very grateful to disabled people, their organisations and other key stakeholders for lending their expertise and supporting us with the co-production of the re-opening of the Fund, work which is already well under way.”
For information on how to apply, go to:
