The Independent Living Fund (ILF) opened to new applicants on 1 April 2024 to provide additional financial support to disabled people with complex needs to help them live more independently.
Local authorities make applications on behalf of disabled people who must live in Scotland and be aged 16 years or more.
To access ILF, a person must receive social work support or a self-directed support (SDS) of £800 per week or more from their local authority.
It was recognised that disabled people with significant support needs met through unpaid care may be at a disadvantage because they do not receive £800 of support from their local authority.
In recognition of this, and to acknowledge the importance of this vital unpaid care, local authorities can now apply to ILF on behalf of people with at least £485 of support, if that person receives a significant amount of unpaid care from someone living in the same house as them. Please see our website for more information. Who can apply?
