Struggling Scots received more than £9 million in grants in the first three months of the financial year under a Government scheme to help them through difficult times.
The Scottish Welfare Fund awarded around 38,000 crisis and community care grants totalling £9.2 million between April and June, around a quarter (26%) of the annual £34.8 million budget.
The figure is also £1.2 million more than was awarded during the same period last year.
Grants totalling £107 million have now been paid out to around 217,000 households since the fund was established in April 2013.
Crisis grants are designed to assist those on a low-income cope in the event of an emergency such as a fire or a flood, while community care grants help people live independently and can also help households facing exceptional pressures with one-off items such as a cooker or washing machine.
Over the period, 66% of community care grant applications were successful and around 11,000 awards at an average of £630 were made, typically for floor coverings, beds, soft furnishings, white goods and furniture.
For crisis grants, 72% of applications were successful with around 27,000 awards made, averaging around just under £80 per award. Most of those funds were for food, heating and other living expenses.
Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman said: "The Scottish Welfare Fund continues to provide a vital lifeline to people during their time of need and help buy everyday items, such as food or nappies, that many of us take for granted.
"This funding is essential to help people cope with the harsh ongoing cuts by the UK Government to the welfare system which is pushing more and more people into crisis.
"Since it was set up, support has been given to around 217,000 households across Scotland, and these figures show that it is helping to make sure funds get to those who need it most.
"This can be especially important in times of desperation or emergency, such as flooding, or when people have been affected by delays in benefits."
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