New annual publication provides estimates of benefit take-up rates
A new annual publication with estimated take-up rates of Scottish social security benefits has been published for the first time.
The report will help track progress against the Scottish Government’s Benefit Take-up Strategy which is a requirement of the 2018 Social Security (Scotland) Act.
The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a transparent social security system and reporting annually on progress will support that aim. This first publication covers estimates from introduction of the benefits up to the end of March in the 2021-2022 financial year and will sit alongside existing performance reporting on Social Security Scotland.
Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “We are committed to making sure everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to and our benefit take-up strategy outlines how we are doing this.
“We actively work to encourage take-up of Scottish social security benefits by promoting our 12 benefits, collaborating with various organisations and removing barriers to access.
“This new publication of estimated take-up rates provides us with valuable insights, and will help us to identify where we can do more. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures we are making progress in breaking down the barriers to access, and in reducing stigma that may have previously led to people not accessing the benefits they are entitled to.
“For example, we have been working with supermarket retailers to promote Best Start Foods, we have shared over 42,000 leaflets about our five family payments and Child Disability Payment in NHS Scotland’s baby boxes, and we have included information on Scottish social security benefits in welcome packs supporting refugees.
“Our efforts to maximise incomes and support benefit take-up are even more important during the current cost of living crisis. Our new cost of living website is a trusted ‘one stop shop’ for advice and information about financial support available in Scotland, including all our Scottish benefits.
“I would encourage everyone to use and share this website, to make sure people are accessing the financial support they are entitled to.”
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Granton Youth and LifeCare are among today’s big winners
Over £11 million of National Lottery funding will help to keep vital local facilities and services running across Scotland, as 299 community projects today (Tuesday 1 November) share in share in grants from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, means that many community and voluntary sector groups will be able to continue their support to individuals, families and communities who have been disproportionately affected by increased cost-of-living pressures.
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is one of the recipients announced today. Drylaw Community Association, the voluntary organisation that oversees the centre, has been awarded £94,000.
The windfall is welcome news for the cash-strapped organisation, which earlier this year was facing closure due to a funding crisis.
This grant will fund a variety of community activities within Drylaw which community members can engage with. This project will support 1650 community members and provide 150 volunteering opportunities for the local community over two years.
Granton Youth, currently based at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, has been awarded nearly £128,000. The group will use the funding to work with 60 young parents and parents of teenagers within the North West of Edinburgh.
This project will also provide fifteen volunteer opportunities through the work of the project. A range of support will be provided to parents and families which will consist of one to one support, group work sessions/workshops, counselling and family mediation.
Another youth organisation celebrating today is The Junction, who receive almost £150,000.
The Leith group will use the funding to provide a counselling service for young people aged 12 to 21 years, reaching 250 young people, supported by 30 volunteers.
There’s welcome news for North Edinburgh’s older people, too. LifeCare has been awarded over £180,000.
The Stockbridge-based organisation celebrated it’s 80th birthday last year and will continue providing support to isolated older people within Edinburgh by matching people over 60 years (known as VIPs) to volunteers with shared interests, creating friendships and improving wellbeing.
Group activities at LifeCare include a choir group ‘ Vocal Vibes, a Film Group, a Sewing Bee, and Bingo.
Over three years the project will support 420 older people and 450 volunteers.
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL)was established in 1991 to help disabled people to live independently and take control of their lives.
For over 30 years the organisation has provided independent advice, advocacy and support to disabled people and an award of £131,306 means this service will continue for another three years.
Callum Odgen, Disability Information Services Co-ordinator, LCiL, said:” This funding will allow us to build on our successful services and do more to support disabled people, people with long-term conditions and older people to live independently, access essential services and maximise their income through comprehensive advice and support.
“With the cost-of-living crisis adding to the existing social and financial impact of COVID-19 felt by people across Scotland, this award will help ensure that we continue to be at the forefront of providing support to those who need it in Edinburgh and the Lothians.”
Other big winners are The Welcoming Association (£140,000), Grassmarket Community Project (£80,000) and ACE IT (£198,000), while other local projects to receive small grants include Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, who receive £9999, Citadel Arts Group (£6600) and bereavement charity Held in our Hearts, who receive £4126.
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fundsaid: “This latest round of funding is one of the ways we are directing our National Lottery funding to support people and communities facing difficult circumstances.
“Our message to community groups across Scotland is that we are here for you and our role, as a funder, is to continue to listen and to be flexible and responsive to the challenges and pressures you are facing.
“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we are able to help give charities and community groups throughout Scotland greater certainty during this critical time.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
