Tag: Social Security Scotland

Free support available for benefit applications 

People urged not to pay for help to apply

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.” 

Over 837,000 winter heating payments made

Scotland benefits from the strongest package of winter heating support in the UK

Over 837,000 payments have been made to people across the country to help with heating costs this winter – thanks to a unique package of support that provides more for people in Scotland than anywhere else in the UK. 

More than 268,500 payments for Child Winter Heating Payment and Winter Heating Payment – support only available in Scotland – have been paid and are likely to have already landed in people’s bank accounts. 

Child Winter Heating Payment supports families caring for children with the highest disability support needs and the vast majority of payments have already been made.  

Winter Heating Payment is a guaranteed, annual payment for people receiving certain benefits. 

This is irrespective of how cold the temperature gets outside, unlike the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Cold Weather Payment which is only paid if the average temperature reaches, or is forecast to reach, freezing or below for a full week. 

Over 568,000 Pension Age Winter Heating Payments have been paid to people aged 66 and over. This has replaced the DWP Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland and is at a higher rate than elsewhere in the UK. Payments will continue to be made throughout the winter.  

All Social Security Scotland winter payments are automatic with no need to apply. 

Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Costs are rising and there will be many people struggling with household bills this winter. 

“That’s why the Scottish Government is taking action and will deliver the strongest package of winter support than anywhere else in the UK.  

“We’re providing winter help, no matter the weather and I’m pleased that over three quarters of a million payments have already been made to do just that.”

Joe Cluxton, energy coordinator at FEL, a service that provides free home energy advice to residents in the Forth Valley added: “We welcome the range of winter heating support delivered by Social Security Scotland as a means to address fuel poverty and the rising cost of heating our homes.  

“The cost of living crisis may drive some to keep the heating off or too low in homes with vulnerable residents, and this is a valuable move to keep people safe through the coldest seasons.” 

Keep warm in the cold weather  

 

♨️
  • Heat rooms you regularly use to a comfortable temperature (at least 18°C if you can) 
  • Wear several layers of clothing 
  • Try move around every hour 

More info:

http://nhsinform.scot/cold-weather

Festive Cheer: December payment for thousands of Scots carers

Financial boost for carers ahead of the festive season

Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be paid to more than 96,000 carers across Scotland from 4 December.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an extra payment, currently made twice a year, for people in Scotland who get Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance on the qualifying dates.

The payment of £293.50, which is only available in Scotland, will be made automatically from 4 December to people who were paid Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance on 13 October 2025. Carers due to get the payment will get a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made.

Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “As one of the first payments introduced by Social Security Scotland in 2018, I’m proud of the difference that Carer’s Allowance Supplement has made for carers across the country.

“The payment recognises the important role that carers play in our local communities and wider society. We have also recently widened eligibility for our Young Carer Grant, meaning even more unpaid carers in Scotland are benefitting from extra help.”

Paul Traynor, Head of External Affairs, Carers Trust Scotland, said: “Since its introduction, Carer’s Allowance Supplement has provided vital additional support to unpaid carers in Scotland, helping to recognise the invaluable contribution they make to their cared for people and communities.

“With over one million payments made and hundreds of millions of pounds delivered, this supplement has helped ease financial pressures for thousands of unpaid carers.”

If a carer is eligible for December’s Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment but has not received a letter or payment by 15 December, they should contact Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

More than 300,000 children supported by Scottish Child Payment

Commitment to eradicating child poverty

Social Security Scotland’s Scottish Child Payment is supporting 322,230 children across the country, newly published figures show. 

Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit gives families with low incomes crucial financial support to help with the cost of raising children.

The weekly payment of £27.15 is paid every four weeks for every eligible child under the age of 16 within a household. 

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:   “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and a national mission.

“This support is helping parents and carers with the essential costs of raising children and is contributing to lowering child poverty rates in Scotland compared with the rest of the UK.

“That progress is the result of our decision to invest in measures that directly support household budgets and improve the wellbeing of children.

“While we should recognise the positive impact this is having for thousands of families, we know there is still much more to do. One child in poverty is one too many, and we remain firmly committed to doing everything we can to support families and give every child the best possible start in life.

“Scottish Child Payment continues to be a central part of that mission, and these figures demonstrate why this support is so important to communities across Scotland.”

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 

Social Security Scotland: Supporting pensioners to heat their homes

People of State Pension age will receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland this winter.

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has replaced the Winter Fuel Payment for people in Scotland. Eligible people will receive a payment of between £101.70 and £305.10

Payments will start from November this year and will be made into the same bank account as someone’s State Pension or Social Security Scotland benefit. 

Most people will receive the payment automatically – no action is needed.  

Pensioners with a taxable annual income over £35,000 will have the payment taken back through their tax code or Self Assessment Tax return by HMRC.   

Shareable resources are available for those who support people of pension age. 

Social Security Scotland: Stay aware of winter heating payment scams

We’re urging people to be aware of scam text messages as most winter heating payments will be paid to people automatically. We’ll never ask for personal or financial details by text or email or ask people to reply by text or email.

Our winter heating payments helped over half a million families warm their homes last year.

Winter Heating Payment, Child Winter Heating Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment are automatic payments for almost everyone who is eligible and most people do not need to apply for these benefits.

Scam text messages are from criminals often pretending to be Social Security Scotland or another Government department. They tell people they are missing out on financial help and ask them to click a link to update their details or to apply for benefits.

We will never ask for personal or financial details by text or email or ask people to reply by text or email.

Information about our benefits is available on official channels, such as its website and social media accounts. People can also phone our helpline if they have questions.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As we approach the winter months, Social Security Scotland will be giving valuable payments to thousands of people automatically to help them stay warm during colder weather.

“It is important that people remain alert to scam text messages and e-mails. Social Security Scotland will never ask people for personal or financial details by text or e-mail.

“If anyone is unsure if they are eligible or are worried they will not receive a payment they are eligible for, please get in touch with Social Security Scotland directly.”

Tips to identify scam messages:

  • be suspicious of messages asking you to send money or share personal information such as passwords or bank details
  • scammers try to create panic by setting a time limit or saying something frightening
  • stop and think before giving out information
  • don’t follow links in suspicious emails or download files
  • check phone numbers and email addresses on the official websites
  • use ‘contact us’ sections to access information and services

If you think you have been the victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately.

Report fraud to Police Scotland by calling 101.

Social Security Scotland offers free assistance to people making applications for benefits. More details can be found here: mygov.scot/benefits-support

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.” 

Scotland’s Child Winter Heating Payment reaches fifth year

Almost 45,000 disabled children and young people to be supported this year

Families of almost 45,000 disabled children and young people are set to receive winter heating support, as Scotland’s unique benefit marks its fifth anniversary.

Child Winter Heating Payments will be issued from next week to families caring for children with the highest disability support needs. All payments are automatic and are expected to be made by the end of October.  

In total, £11.4 million is expected to be put in the pockets of families who need it the most.   

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I’m proud that this benefit payment – available only in Scotland – will help families of almost 45,000 disabled children and young people keep their homes warm this winter. 

“Child Winter Heating Payment was introduced by the Scottish Government five years ago and is providing vital support to families facing the extra costs of caring for a disabled child or young person who needs the highest level of disability support. 

“The payment represents Scotland’s commitment to supporting its most vulnerable families, providing targeted help that isn’t available elsewhere in the UK.” 

Joana who works at Oaklands School in Edinburgh and who is mother to Maddie, aged 17, gets Child Disability Payment and Child Winter Heating Payment.

Maddie has various conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and autism.

She said: “You’ve got Christmas coming up, the weather is changing, bills are going up, food is going up and that little help, it just means you think right let’s put the heating up. When that Child Winter Heating payment come in it is like winning the lottery. You are so used to money going out and then it comes in. It does make such a difference, 100 per cent.”

Child Winter Heating Payment is paid automatically to the families of children and young people under 19 who receive the highest levels of disability support.