VSS Emergency Assistance Fund

The Emergency Assistance Fund (EAF) is open to people affected by crime across Scotland who are in urgent need of financial help as a result of what they have experienced. People can access a wide range of goods and services where they have no other access to funds.

** Please note, we cannot accept calls relating to EAF through our helpline or online chat. To get in touch with a member of staff regarding an application, email: eaf@victimsupportsco.org.uk**

Emergency Assistance Fund is available to any victim of crime who is in urgent need of financial help as a direct result of a specific crime and has no means of accessing funding from any other source. The Emergency Assistance Fund is also available for some people who live outside Scotland and who have been a victim of crime that happened in Scotland.

Eligibility requirements:

• Demonstrate any financial need that has occurred as a direct result of crime considered urgent and immediate.
• Any request for financial support relates entirely to an urgent and immediate need and is considered life essential.
• That the applicant has no other source of funds (either through their own means or by accessing other support agencies/funds) to pay for items requested.

The Emergency Assistance Fund is available for specific costs and items in the aftermath of a crime. It is not a compensation fund.

The funding is for the direct purchase or reimbursement of goods and services on behalf of the victim. In most cases, we would expect invoices or receipts to be submitted along with the application to verify the amount claimed.

Examples of what the Fund can cover include:

• Emergency household goods
• Food, utility or clothing expenses
• Costs to repair or replace damaged property or goods
• Contributions to funeral costs
• Moving costs
• Travel costs to a place of safety
• Security equipment costs

Organisations can apply for funding on behalf of victims, and payments will not be made directly to these organisations.

Applications can also be endorsed and submitted by a referral organisation acting as a representative of the applicant.

To apply to the Emergency Assistance Fund, please click here.

If you need assistance filling out the online application, please email eaf@victimsupportsco.org.uk with your name, address and contact details.

Once you have submitted the application form you will receive an email with your reference number. Please quote your reference number in any future correspondence. If you have any enquiries about the fund, please email eaf@victimsupportsco.org.uk.

Please note, we cannot accept calls relating to EAF through our helpline or online chat.