Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland Information

Following the closure of the UK Independent Living Fund (ILF) on 30th June 2015, the Scottish Government established a new organisation, Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland, to administer ILF for existing recipients of the fund in Scotland.

ILF Scotland is a public body, governed by a Board of Directors, appointed by and accountable to Scottish Ministers.

ILF Scotland operates as a discretionary fund providing financial awards to over 3,000 disabled people in Scotland and Northern Ireland to help them live independently.

Their funding enables individuals to pay for care so that they can be supported in their homes and within their local communities.

ILF Scotland funding maximises SDS for disabled adults. There is a positive incentive to retain ILF additional funding, which can be up to £9m in one partnership area to complete SDS assessments, which promote independent living. ILF Scotland’s policy suite flexes across all the differences between the 32 versions of

SDS in Scotland and the 5 versions in Northern Ireland. It makes payments of different amounts for different services on an individual basis after a bi-annual assessment, which is person centred and outcomes focused.

ILF Scotland involves disabled people at the heart of the organisation in every facet of its operations and it is this which keeps us innovating and removing barriers.

ILF funding increases the portability of care packages; it reduces inconsistency and inequality of provision for disabled people and creates a dialogue for all disabled people to challenge for their best SDS outcomes.

Next steps

ILF Scotland provide a range of information and support to enable people receiving ILF funding to recruit and employ their own Personal Assistants (PAs). Further information on the support provided can be found in the resources below.