That the Committee –
1. Agree that from 1 April 2016 all Scottish Welfare Fund awards will be made by cash as described in option 2 contained within the detail of the report.
2. Agree that customers be encouraged to apply for Scottish Welfare Grants online wherever possible in order to reduce administration costs.
3. Note the financial and staffing implications of the proposed option as described within the report and that the telephony service will only be available from 1 April 2016 Monday to Friday and from 1.30pm to 5.00pm excluding public holidays.