Tag: benefits

Caring for Carers: Young Carer Grant extended to 19-year-olds

Young carers up to age 19 will now receive Young Carer Grant following an expansion of the benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland.

The grant which was previously open to 16 to 18-year-olds is a Scottish only benefit that gives young carers a yearly payment of £390.25.

The payment can be used to pay for whatever the young person wants – like driving lessons, tech to help with work or study or new clothes.

The grant is available to young people who spend at least 16 hours a week caring for someone who receives a disability benefit.​ It is available to young people who are in education, employed or out of work.

Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Young Carer Grant recognises the important contribution that young carers make, and I’m proud that we’re able to extend eligibility further to include 19-year-olds.

“Young carers often miss out on activities enjoyed by other people their age – Young Carer Grant provides some support towards helping them do the things they like outside of their caring responsibilities.

“I would encourage young carers across the country to check their eligibility and to see what other support is available to them.”

Millie is 19 and cares for her mum and older sister in Fort William.

She said: “I was told about the Young Carer Grant through our community link worker and was able to apply for it when I was 16, 17 and 18 which was very beneficial towards my driving lessons and car insurance.

“It’s absolutely brilliant that Young Carer Grant is up to the age of 19 now. It will definitely benefit a lot of young adult carers who don’t receive any financial benefits.”

Young Carer Grant has been available to young carers in Scotland since 2019.

Applicants must have been caring for one or more people for an average of 16 hours a week for at least the last three months. If they care for more than one person, they can combine the hours of the people they care for to average 16 hours a week.

A total of 4,135 Young Carer Grant payments were made in the 2024/25 financial year. This is the highest number of payments in a financial year since the grant’s launch. (Young Carer Grant statistics 2024/25)

Young carers providing care for 35 hours a week or more may be entitled to Carer Support Payment. Young Carer Grant is not available to people who already receive Carer Support Payment.

To find out more about social security support for unpaid carers and to check eligibility, visit mygov.scot/carers 

Information on other support, such as financial support, wellbeing support and short breaks from caring, can be found at Help if you’re a carer – mygov.scot 

UK Government ‘must scrap punitive welfare policies’

Social Justice Secretary urges Chancellor to remove two-child limit and benefit cap

Ahead of a series of meetings in London today with child poverty charities, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has urged the UK Government to take action to tackle child poverty in its forthcoming Budget, including immediately scrapping the two-child limit and the benefit cap.

Ms Somerville has called on the UK Government to fully scrap the two-child limit on benefits, which pulls 109 children into poverty every day, while also removing the benefit cap at the same time, which limits the total amount of benefit a person can receive.

Subject to parliamentary approval, the Scottish Government plans to mitigate the two-child limit from March next year, through a new Two-Child Limit Payment worth £292.81 a month for eligible recipients. Estimates show this will keep 20,000 children out of relative poverty next year. 

The Scottish Government is spending £100 million this financial year, through the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme, to mitigate the benefits cap as far as possible within devolved powers.

Ms Somerville said:  “Once again, I am making it clear that the UK Government must fully scrap the two-child limit and the benefit cap as soon as possible. These policies should be confined to the darkest days of austerity and the UK Budget must bring this period to an end.  

“In a country as rich as ours, no child should have to live in poverty. The UK social security system is supposed to be there to ensure a basic standard of living, reduce poverty and inequality and help people through the toughest of times.

“That is why the Scottish Government has made bold decisions – like introducing the Scottish Child Payment and investing in our devolved social security system. Child poverty rates are now lower in Scotland than the rest of the UK and relative child poverty rates in Scotland are at their lowest level in almost a decade.

“I call on the Chancellor to follow our example by scrapping the caps, match the Scottish Child Payment and introduce an essentials guarantee, which would ensure Universal Credit actually covers the costs of life’s essentials, such as food and fuel.”

There have been strong indications that the Chancellor will indeed scrap the Two Child Linit when she announces her Budget later this month.

Thousands of carers’ benefits transferred

Scotland’s carers getting more financial support through Social Security Scotland

Around 118,000 unpaid carers who were receiving Carer’s Allowance have had their benefit awards safely and securely transferred to Social Security Scotland’s Carer Support Payment. 

Carer Support Payment began rolling out across Scotland in November 2023 to replace Carer’s Allowance delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). 

Since the formation of Social Security Scotland in 2018, the Scottish Government has delivered more financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland under a very different social security system, rooted in dignity, fairness and respect. 

Carer’s Allowance Supplement provides up to £587 a year while Young Carer Grant offers over £390 each year to carers aged 16-18 years. These payments are only available in Scotland.  

Carer Support Payment has also been extended to enable more carers in full time education to access the payment.  

Further improvements to carer benefits in Scotland are planned within the next six months. This includes extension of Young Carer Grant to 19-year-olds and a new payment worth up to £520 a year for carers who are caring for more than one person.  

Extending eligibility for financial support following the death of the cared-for person from 8 to 12 weeks is also amongst the plans. 

Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are supporting over 126,000 unpaid carers in Scotland through devolved carer benefits, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving social security, under a kinder system that treats people with dignity and respect.  

“It was always our intention that once carers’ benefits had successfully transferred to Carer Support Payment, we’d deliver even more changes to help make a difference to carers’ lives. 

“Unpaid carers make a huge contribution within our communities and I’m proud to be able to improve the financial support available to them in Scotland.” 

Recognising unpaid carers

New payment for people caring for more than one person

Proposals to further expand and improve the benefits available to unpaid carers in Scotland have been laid before the Scottish Parliament. 

Among the changes are plans to introduce a new payment worth up to £520 annually for people who care for more than one person – benefiting an estimated 18,000 carers – and to extend eligibility for the Young Carer Grant to 19-year-olds.

This builds on previous changes following the transfer of responsibility for carer benefits from the UK Government to the Scottish Government, including the introduction of new benefits such as Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

Around 130,000 people are entitled to Scottish Government carer benefits in Scotland. 

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government recognises the immense contribution carers make to our society through caring for family, friends and neighbours.

“That is why we have made it a priority to deliver a series of improvements to better support them following the transfer of carer benefit awards from the Department for Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland.  

“We have a very different approach to social security in Scotland, with dignity, fairness and respect at its heart, and these changes build on previous work to help improve the lives of carers. We have already introduced Carer’s Allowance Supplement and the Young Carer Grant – which are only available in Scotland – and widened eligibility for Carer Support Payment to enable more carers in education to access it.  

“This is another major milestone in the process of delivering devolved social security and in building a system that better meets the needs of carers and disabled people in Scotland.” 

Support for 880,000 pensioners in Scotland this winter

Pension Age Winter Heating Payments to begin in November

This winter at least 880,000 pensioners across Scotland are set to receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to help with heating their home.  

From November, eligible people of State Pension age will get a payment between £101.70 and £305.10 depending on their circumstances.  Most people will receive their payment automatically – no action is needed. 

For pensioners with a taxable income of over £35,000, the payment will be taken back through the tax system during 2026/27. 

People can choose to opt out of receiving the payment by completing the online form on the MyGov website by 10 October 2025. 

An eligibility checker has also been created to help people find out how much they are likely to receive. 

Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “At least 880,000 pensioners in Scotland are estimated to benefit from the payment. And with the recent announcement on increasing energy costs, this could be a valuable lifeline for older people in Scotland. 

“We are committed to treating people with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve. Our approach supports those most in need. The Scottish Government will continue to ensure older people get the financial help they need, this winter or any winter. 

“It is also important to highlight that most people don’t need to do anything – they will automatically receive the payment if eligible.” 

Social Security Scotland will send a letter to everyone who will receive a payment. Subject to Parliamentary approval, payments will start from November 2025 and continue throughout the winter.

Evaluating efforts to tackle poverty

New report highlights the impacts of Scottish policies

Scottish benefits are easing the cost-of-living burden for families according to a new evaluation.

The Scottish Centre for Social Research surveyed people in receipt of any of the Five Family Payments, a group of benefits designed to tackle poverty and to improve household finances.

Findings show the payments have a positive impact on recipients’ overall finances and have helped to reduce material deprivation and food insecurity for low-income families. The majority of Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Foods recipients agreed the payments meant they did not need foodbanks.

Feedback also shows the majority of Best Start Foods recipients, who receive a pre-paid card to purchase healthy food, reported that the card enabled their families to have healthy meals more frequently. 

Other impacts include a reduction to household debt and borrowing and more children being able to undertake extra-curricular activities, like sport, music or drama.

Recipients also commented that the automatic payment system reduces worry and stress.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville met some impacted families at Brunstane Primary School in Edinburgh.

Ms Somerville said: “We want every child to have the best start in life, but we recognise that the cost of living continues to have a negative impact on families across the country.

“It is a moral imperative to offer the best support we can, and I’m pleased that this work found an array of positive, meaningful impacts.

“But we are not letting up. We know there is more to do, which is why, as an example, we are launching the new Two Child Limit Payment in March, which will benefit the families of 43,000 children next year.

“And in the face of challenging economic headwinds and cuts to the UK welfare system, I want to reassure families that our support will continue. No child, nor family, will be left behind by the Scottish Government.”

One parent, Emma Hunter from Magdalene, said: “We are so grateful for the support we received with the healthy start vouchers, school uniforms and child payment.

“It has been such a huge help  in easing the financial burden of starting a family and it has made a real difference to our lives.”

Evaluation report

PIP No More: Adult Disability Payment transfer complete

Delivering a new approach to disability assistance ‘rooted in compassion’

Almost 350,000 disabled people who were getting Personal Independence Payment have had their benefit awards successfully transferred to Social Security Scotland – meaning everyone in Scotland who was receiving the benefit is now getting Adult Disability Payment.

This month marks the third anniversary of Adult Disability Payment being available across Scotland and the complete transfer represents the delivery of an entirely new approach to disability assistance based on dignity, fairness and respect.

For example, while the UK benefits agency outsources assessments to private firms, Social Security Scotland uses information from professionals who know the disabled person when making decisions, such as their GP or a support worker.

Adult Disability Payment provides money to help with the additional costs that come with being disabled or having a long-term health condition that affects someone’s life. People who are terminally ill can apply via a dedicated fast-track route.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said: “The transfer to Adult Disability Payment from PIP was a monumental challenge that we’ve delivered for people across Scotland.

“Nearly 350,000 individuals had their data safely and securely moved from the DWP’s systems to ours without having to make a new application for assistance. We also ensured there was no break in their payments. 

“This month marks three years since Adult Disability Payment was available across Scotland, the achievement of our ambitious plan to deliver an entirely new approach to disability assistance rooted in compassion.

“That approach will continue to be at the heart of social security in Scotland.  That is why I can assure people the Scottish Government will not cut Adult Disability Payment.  We will never seek to balance the books on the backs of disabled people.

“While the UK Government has caused so much anxiety for disabled people in recent months, that is not an approach the Scottish Government will take.  We will ensure disabled people will get the support they are entitled to and be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.”

CEO of learning disability charity Garvald Edinburgh, Colum Porter, said: “It is good news that all adults in Scotland have now moved to Adult Disability Payment and will be supported by a benefits system built on dignity, fairness and respect.

“Many people do not understand how expensive it is to be disabled. Disabled adults and their carers can face many additional costs, and it is vital they get the financial support they need.

“Applying for benefits can be daunting and many people have had difficult experiences applying for PIP.”

For more information on Adult Disability Payment visit www.mygov.scot/adult-disability-payment or call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

The most recently published statistics show over 470,000 people in Scotland were getting Adult Disability Payment in April, including around 150,000 new applicants.

Millions to receive benefit payments ahead of August bank holiday

  • Change to benefits payment date for millions of people will help them with their financial planning and providing peace of mind for those on low incomes.
  • It comes ahead of the new school year, which will allow families and carers to plan their spending with confidence, knowing their support is already in place.
  • This proactive measure demonstrates the Government’s commitment through its Plan for Change to raising living standards, breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring growth is felt by everyone, everywhere.
  • Applies across the entire United Kingdom (Scotland follows the same principle despite different bank holiday arrangements).

Millions of people will receive their essential financial support before the August bank holiday weekend, as the Government has confirmed that benefit payments will be brought forward to Friday 22 August.

The early payment arrangement will apply to all major benefits including Universal Credit, Child Benefit, State Pension, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, and Disability Living Allowance, ensuring that payments originally scheduled for the weekend of 23-25 August reach recipients on time.

This proactive measure will provide financial certainty for families as they prepare for the new school year, allowing parents and carers to plan their spending with confidence knowing their support is already in place during what can be an expensive time for households.

Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said: “We know how much families rely on these payments, and by bringing them forward ahead of the bank holiday we’re ensuring no one has to worry about whether their support will be there when they need it most.

“This is especially important ahead of the new school year – no family should have to choose between buying school supplies and putting food on the table.

“This is what our Plan for Change is all about – putting working families and the most vulnerable first and ensuring every family has the security they need to plan for the future.”

The early payment policy ensures recipients receive their funds before banks and government offices close for the holiday weekend, maintaining the continuity of support that millions depend upon.

Inclusion Scotland: Welfare Experiences Project

The Welfare Experiences project is a ground-breaking international study comparing how people experience benefits in Estonia, Hungary, Norway, Spain, and the UK. It looks at how policies shape those experiences and, more importantly, what needs to change.

Inclusion Scotland is proud to be a co-production partner, bringing disabled people’s lived experience in Scotland into the spotlight. In 2024, we ran focus groups with our members about claiming Universal Credit.

This report shares what they told us. These are real stories that we aim to use to push for a fairer, more respectful benefits system.

Welfare-Experiences-ReportDownload

The Welfare Experiences project is an ambitious, innovative project comparing the experience of receiving benefits in five different countries: Estonia, Hungary, Norway, Spain and the UK.

The project will be one of the first international comparisons of the experiences of individuals receiving public benefits.  We are looking at the nature of these experiences, how different policies affect them, and their impacts – with the aim of making welfare systems work better.

The project runs from 2023-28 and is both mixed-methods and coproduced – find out more by looking at the Work Packages page, which explains what we are doing.

Our pan-European team includes eight different research organisations and seven organisations that work with people with lived experience of claiming – you can find out more about the Team here.

The WelfareExperiences project receives €3m of funding from the UK Research & Innovation Guarantee [EP/Y024621/1], having been selected by the European Research Council.

Carers Allowance Supplement

SUPPORT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY SCOTLAND

Over 89,000 unpaid carers received an extra payment of £293.50 in June 2025.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is only available in Scotland and gets paid automatically to people who get Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance.

Find out more at https://bit.ly/CarersAllowanceSupplement