Because of the bank holiday, people who are due a payment on Monday 4 May will usually receive it by the end of Friday 1 May.
Best Start Food payments are not affected.
All other payment dates will stay the same.
Parents of 16-19-year-olds are reminded to extend their Child Benefit claim if their teenager is staying in certain types of education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s.
Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager’s plans. Around 1.5 million reminder letters will be sent from late April, with most landing on doorsteps in early May.
Parents don’t need to wait for their letter. HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) digital service for extending claims opened on 1 April, so those who already know their teenager’s plans can act today.
Claim extensions can be made on the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters also include a QR code linking directly to the digital service.
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week – or £1,406.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or through the HMRC app.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they’re staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don’t need to wait for our letter.
“You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK.”
Child Benefit can continue for teenagers studying full time in non-advanced education, or on unpaid approved training courses. Visit GOV.UK for the full list of eligible courses.
If a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be liable for the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). Use the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK for an estimate.
Parents can pay the charge through their PAYE tax code using the HICBC digital service, or through Self Assessment.
This month marks a true milestone for the UK benefits system: the end of the thirteen-year rollout of Universal Credit that has brought together all means-tested working-age benefits.
This moment is an opportunity to consider how the system can be improved
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
The Child Poverty Action Group (UK) – CPAG are carrying out research to understand the impact of the two child policy on children and family life prior to abolition of the policy in April.
This is so they can conduct further comparative research later in the year on the impact of getting rid of the policy.
It would really help them if you can spare a few minutes to answer some questions about your experience of the two child limit.
They want to hear from parents who are not receiving tax credits or universal credit for a child born after April 6 2017.
The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete.
No information will be used that could identify anyone involved.
Take the survey here: https://f.mtr.cool/mvoinbqtdb
You can find more information about the Child Poverty Action Group here – https://f.mtr.cool/pambkzwiyp
If you can spare a few minutes we’d be really grateful 
People may be missing out on social security support they are entitled to due to stigma around social security, new research shows.
Independent research commissioned by Social Security Scotland found that while nine in ten (91%) people agree anyone could need financial support when their circumstances change – four in ten (39%) say applying would make them feel less positive about themselves. This rises to almost half (48%) among 16 to 34-year-olds.
The survey also shows how negative portrayals could be fuelling this. Three quarters (75%) of people believe those who receive social security support are portrayed negatively by politicians and/or the media. Almost four in ten (39%) of people surveyed agreed people who receive social security are judged negatively by their family and friends.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Everyone should be able to access support without fear or shame, and these findings reinforce why we are delivering social security differently in Scotland — through a system rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.
“From the language we use to how we deliver our services – we designed our social security system based on feedback from people with lived experience. This has included using more compassionate language in letters, providing help in a format or language that best suits the individual and offering help with applications online, over the phone and in person. We all share responsibility for talking about social security with kindness – words matter.
“We’ll continue to work with clients and stakeholders to make further improvements and help break down the barriers that stop too many people getting the help they are entitled to.”
David Reilly, Communities and Networks Manager at Poverty Alliance added: “Our social security is a public good like the NHS – it’s there for everybody, especially those who need it most.
“There are 1.1 million people in Scotland who are struggling today on a low income – they have the same right to thrive as everybody else.
“But prejudice and negative stereotypes, often starting in our media and politics, then trickling down into our own communities and families – this unfair judgement can hold people back from reaching out and claiming what they’re entitled to – sometimes to the point of starvation and destitution. That’s simply wrong.
“Together, we can stand up for each other and reclaim the idea of social security as a basic human right, and a foundation that allows people to build better futures for themselves and their households.”
Karen Wylie, Policy and Participation Manager at Glasgow Disability Alliance (GDA) added: “GDA hears from our members that disability benefits are a lifeline not a luxury for disabled people.
“In our survey conducted in October 2025, we heard that stigma played a significant, prohibitive role in how and when people apply for benefits.
“Our members call for a change in narrative around social security so that it’s seen as a human right that not only covers the basics but also covers the additional costs of being disabled and enables people to live full and participative lives with choice and control.”
The Scottish Government has poured billions of pounds of taxpayer cash into the country’s welfare state “with abandon”, according to a new report.
The research, entitled Benefitting Scotland?, finds that nearly a decade after major welfare powers were devolved, Scotland is spending significantly more than the rest of the UK on a “smorgasbord” of conflicting benefits and entitlements.
There is “minimal” evidence that the system is succeeding even on its own terms, warns the Centre for Social Justice. Persistent child poverty is running at 23 per cent, more than double the Scottish government’s eight per cent target.
At the same time, Scotland has the highest proportion of children living in long-term workless households in Great Britain at 11.3 per cent, and its rate of economic inactivity has gone from below England’s before 2016 to persistently above it.
The £28 billion annual welfare budget – almost a quarter of which is administered by the Scottish government – has ballooned out of control.
Last year Scottish ministers spent above and beyond the “block grant adjustment” – a grant allocated by the UK government to match non-devolved benefit spending – by almost £1 billion.
The cross-party think tank argues that Scotland could save hundreds of millions of pounds while achieving better outcomes.
Restricting eligibility to disability benefits for those with less severe mental health conditions and frontloading the Scottish Child Payment would save at least £800 million for the Scottish government to re-invest in treating the root causes of mental illness and supporting families directly through Whole Family Wellbeing Funding.
The report also highlights the scale of work disincentives in the system.
A couple with three children living in Glasgow can receive almost £45,500 per year by combining benefits. To match that income from work alone would require a salary of roughly £69,000 before tax from a single earner.
Even when parents move into employment, they can lose up to 79p of every additional pound earned once benefit tapers, income tax, national insurance and pension contributions are combined.
They also risk losing access to the myriad supplements layered on by the Scottish government, including the Scottish Child Payment, several Best Start Grants, a Carer’s Allowance Supplement, new Winter Heating Payments, and a plethora of one-off grants.
Ben Gregg, Head of Welfare at the Centre for Social Justice, said: The Scottish government has missed its own child poverty targets, while pushing economic inactivity in Scotland from below to above England.
“The welfare system is over budget, overly complex, and failing on its own terms. With Holyrood elections this year, there is a real opportunity to create a much leaner, far more effective system, focused on changing lives and tackling the root causes of poverty.”
Challenging the myth that higher social spending is incompatible with economic success, new IPPR Scotland analysis confirms that many European countries with high spending on social protection measures such as benefits, childcare and training, also sustain highly productive, innovative and dynamic economies.
Researchers found that countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, France, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Austria and Switzerland spend much more on social protection per person than the UK and Scotland and have also had far superior economic and social outcomes sustained over the long run.
The UK has had lower GDP per capita throughout this past decade. Scotland’s GDP per capita, meanwhile, has been very close to the UK’s, and well below that of the 10 countries that the researchers focussed on.
This research demonstrates that high spending on social protection does more than just place a safety net for the economically disadvantaged; it helps economies to become more productive. For example:
The research shows that high-spending countries also perform well across a range of international indices of competitiveness and innovation. For instance, all the high social spending countries achieve a ranking in the top 25 nations in the 2024 Global Innovation Index, with six appearing in the top 10. Switzerland and Sweden fill the top two places.
Ahead of this year’s election, IPPR Scotland is urging the Scottish government to take learn from these countries and lead a renewed drive to build a national consensus on economic development. The next government should also examine ways in which spending can shift towards areas such as employability, childcare, and labour market support, that directly address both social and economic objectives.
IPPR Scotland director Stephen Boyd said: “The experience of other countries shows – unambiguously – that it is possible to create a virtuous cycle between high social protection spending and economic dynamism.
“Scotland’s political parties should bear this in mind when developing manifestos and engaging in debate around this year’s election. The next Scottish government can and must build a new policy agenda. By focusing on areas like employability and childcare, we can tackle social challenges and boost the economy at the same time.”
Reacting to the report, Professor Patricia Findlay, Scottish Centre for Employment Research, Strathclyde University, said: “This report is a timely reminder that there are no necessary trade-offs between economic growth and high social protection spending – and the many wider social benefits from the latter.
“The report carefully avoids a suggestion of causation between social spending and economic growth, though a positive causal relationship has some intuitive plausibility. The challenge, of course, is in the transition – what should Scotland do now to move from a vicious circle of low relative social spending and stagnant growth to a more virtuous circle present in other successful economies?
“There is no silver bullet, but the recommendations of investing in collective design of economic strategy, more active labour market policies and, crucially, stronger structures of social partnership and dialogue, would represent important steps towards better longer-term outcomes.”
WITH welfare and benefits in danger of becoming a political football in the Holyrood election campaign (see today’s FMQs for starters – Ed.), Scotland’s Poverty Alliance has spoken out:
Poverty Alliance Policy & Campaigns Manager Gary Christie said: “When it comes to ending the injustice of poverty and investing in a better future, the Poverty Alliance works constructively with leaders from all political parties.
“One of the things we ask of all is that they avoid creating false division between people. Very few politicians would criticise someone for using our NHS or claiming Pension Credit. So, it’s morally wrong to point at others who use our shared social security system.
“Nearly 40% of the people on Universal Credit are in work. Nearly 1 in 3 people referred to Trussell Trust foodbanks are in working households.
“We all pay into our shared public services, and we all benefit. People who don’t pay income tax contribute every time they buy something that has VAT on it. And many people on the lowest incomes in Scotland have higher tax rates than the wealthiest in society. We are all in it together.
“Instead of risking stigmatising and hurting our friends, neighbours and fellow citizens, it would be good for politicians to look at their own responsibilities first. They have the power to move towards a Minimum Income Guarantee based on fair work, strong services, and a just social security system for all of us. These must be pursued together, not traded off against one another to score political points.
“The Scottish Child Payment is a vital building block of that future. It helps give a decent start in life to more than 300,000 of Scotland’s children.
“Rather than talking about unjustly cutting some children off from that vital help, politicians can boost the value of the payment as one important stepping stone towards the Minimum Income Guarantee.”
From Shetland to the Borders, people across Scotland are being urged to check if they are eligible for financial support.
Social Security Scotland helped over 960,000 people receive the money they were entitled to in financial year 2024/25.
The organisation now delivers 17 benefit payments, including support for families on low incomes, disabled people, pensioners, young people looking for work and unpaid carers. There is also financial help for heating homes and contributing towards the cost of a funeral.
Amongst the payments is Scottish Child Payment, which is only available in Scotland. Families who receive Universal Credit, or other qualifying benefits, may be entitled to a weekly payment of £27.15 for every eligible child under 16 years of age. There is also no limit on the number of children who can benefit.
Financial support is also available for disabled people, those who have long-term health conditions or are terminally ill.
Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment can help cover the extra costs disabled people face. Pension Age Disability Payment replaces Attendance Allowance in Scotland and can support disabled people aged 66 and over who need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe with a weekly payment of up to £110.40 a week.
Scotland’s unpaid carers receive more support than anywhere else in the UK. Carer Support Payment, a payment of £83.30 per week, has replaced Carer’s Allowance with more carers in full time education able to access it. Further improvements for carers, including new extra support for those caring for more than one person, will come into effect in March 2026.
Young people aged 16-24 who have been out of work for at least six months and receiving a low-income benefit may be able to get Job Start Payment. It is a one-off payment of £319.80 to help cover the cost of starting a new job.
People are urged to check if they can get social security support and can access an online benefit calculator to help them to do this. Many are available online, are free, and can provide more detail on the benefits available to an individual and how to apply.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “We know that many people are feeling the strain right now – especially after Christmas – and we don’t want anyone to miss out on the support they’re entitled to.
“That’s why we are investing in the people of Scotland with social security when they need it most. These payments can make a real difference to everyday lives, whether it’s helping with heating costs, caring responsibilities, enabling someone to be more independent or with raising a family.
“Many of our payments are available for people in and out of work, for example Adult Disability Payment is available no matter whether someone is in work or has savings. Social security is a public service that anyone may need at any point in their life. I urge people to check if they are eligible and get the help they are entitled to.”
Rebecca Fagan, Benefit and Welfare Policy Executive at Advice Direct Scotland, added: “Every year, millions of pounds worth of vital benefits go unclaimed because people are unaware of what they may be entitled to.
“Sometimes people just assume they won’t qualify.
“At a time when many households are under significant financial pressure, it is more important than ever that people check what support is available to them.
“At Advice Direct Scotland, we see first-hand the essential support provided to people across the country through every stage of life by Social Security Scotland benefits.
“Our trusted online benefits calculator – at www.benefits.advice.scot – is a simple, confidential way to get an accurate picture of what you are entitled to.
“This type of calculator can help people make informed decisions, boost household income and act as a vital first step in accessing advice and support before problems escalate.
“Our skilled advisers are also here to help people find out what they can do to claim all the benefits that they are entitled to.
“Our advice.scot team can be reached on 0808 800 9060 or via www.advice.scot.”
The number of people helped by Social Security Scotland in financial year 2024/25 is 962,525. A full report can be found at:
https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/binaries/socialsecurity/publications/2024/06/individual-clients…
Anyone in Scotland who needs additional support to apply for benefits can receive free help to complete their applications.
There are several options available for people who need support:
Social Security Scotland’s Client Advisers can help people by talking to them by phone or through webchat.
We can support people to apply over the phone on 0800 182 2222 or via webchat.
People can also get help in their communities from our team of local advisers.
In addition, the Scottish Government funds an independent advocacy service to deliver free advice and support to disabled people applying for benefits.
Organisations including Citizens Advice Scotland, Macmillan Cancer Support, Age Scotland and local authority welfare rights teams can also help.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I urge everyone to avoid any company asking people for money to help them apply for benefits. Free support is readily available from Social Security Scotland and several organisations.
“People should get every penny of the vital support we are delivering to help them live with dignity. Companies charging fees to make benefit applications are exploiting people and taking money from those who need it most.”
Derek Mitchell, CEO of Citizens Advice Scotland said: “Our advisers in local Citizens Advice Bureaus across Scotland provide free and confidential advice expert advice that gets money back in people’s pockets.
“Whether you need that face to face, over the phone or online, advisers based in local communities will work with you and make sure you get all the support you need.
“No one should have to pay for advice to get the social security payments they’re entitled to. Every penny of the nearly £170 million we secured for people last year, stayed with them.”
