Independent Living Fund Broadens their Eligibility Criteria to Account for Unpaid Care

As of the 27th of January 2025, the Independent Living Fund Scotland has announced that applications can now be submitted where the budget is less than £800 but more than £485 if the applicant receives significant care from a resident unpaid carer, without which, the £800 budget would be met. 

The full list of Access Principles about who can apply includes people who: 

• live in Scotland 
• are aged 16 years or over at the time of application 
• access Self-Directed Support (SDS) 
• receive a social care support package / SDS of at least £800 per week
• Or the applicant’s net weekly SDS budget is less than £800 but they have an unpaid carer living in the same home with them who provides a significant amount of unpaid care and who is eligible for a Carers Support Plan.  

Applications to the Independent Living Fund are made by your local council’s social work department, on your behalf. 

Visit the Independent Living Fund website for more information on the fund and how to apply.