Royal Society for the Support of Women of Scotland

The Royal Society for the Support of Women of Scotland (RSSWS), established in 1847 and modernised via a 2014 Supplementary Royal Charter, is a national Scottish charity dedicated to alleviating poverty and enhancing dignity for single women aged 50 and over facing hardship from low income, old age, and limited savings. Rooted in historic traditions of supporting indigent gentlewomen, it now emphasises values of empowerment, resilience, self-reliance, perseverance, and community contribution, providing direct, sustained financial aid to foster independence rather than short-term relief.

RSSWS funds exclusively individual women through recurring monthly grants that top up incomes for stability, targeting those in pre-retirement or pensioner hardship across all backgrounds in Scotland. Support recognises personal achievements, crises, or transitions, with around 1,000 beneficiaries receiving over £1 million annually to prevent poverty and promote positive life changes.

Eligibility requires women to be single (never married, widowed, divorced, or formally separated), Scotland-resident for at least two years, with savings below £24,000 and low income (reviewed annually against social security benchmarks). Applications are personal only—no organisations or proxies—via online form, paper, phone, or email on a rolling basis, needing evidence of age, residency, finances, status, and circumstances; processing takes weeks with trustee discretion.

Standard grants are £120 monthly (ongoing or time-limited), with no minimums/maximums for organisations as none qualify. Exclusions include nursing/residential care residents, unmanaged debt cases, projects, capital, emergency aid, organisational funding, or non-Scottish applicants, distinguishing RSSWS as a uniquely targeted, direct lifeline for older single Scottish women.