More than 960,000 people across Scotland received financial support through 17 devolved benefits during the last financial year. Payments delivered by Social Security Scotland include help for low-income families, pensioners, young people starting work and unpaid carers.
Financial support is also available for people with disabilities, long-term health conditions and those who are terminally ill, as well as help towards heating costs and funeral expenses. Households are being urged to check whether they could be due extra financial support.
Many people fail to claim benefits they are entitled to, even though eligibility can be checked quickly, confidentially and free of charge using an online benefits calculator.
Carer payments change
More than 94,000 unpaid carers now receive an extra weekly payment after the bi-annual Carer's Allowance Supplement was replaced with the Scottish Carer Supplement. The Scottish Government said the change means carers will receive the extra support more consistently and regularly.
Payments of £11.70 are issued automatically every four weeks, which means nobody needs to claim the new benefit. The payment will provide unpaid carers with an extra £609.30 over the 2026/27 financial year - the same amount of money that would have been issued through Carer's Allowance Supplement.
Disability and pension payments
Adult Disability Payment is worth between £121.20 and £778.40 every four weeks in 2026/27 to help people who have a long-term illness or a disability that affects their everyday life. It replaces Personal Independence Payment previously delivered by the DWP. Weekly rates are £76.70 standard and £114.60 enhanced for daily living, and £30.30 standard and £80.00 enhanced for mobility.
Pension Age Disability Payment has replaced all new and existing claims for Attendance Allowance in Scotland. People receive either £76.70 or £114.60 each week in 2026/27, paid every four weeks at £306.80 or £458.40 per pay period. It supports older people who have a disability that means they need assistance with looking after themselves, or supervision to keep them safe.
Child Disability Payment is worth up to £778.40 every four weeks in 2026/27 to help with the costs of caring for a child with a disability or ill-health condition. It replaces Disability Living Allowance for children in Scotland. Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance is a closed benefit, which means nobody can apply for it and is only for pensioners on Disability Living Allowance transferring from the DWP.
Carer and heating support
Young Carer Grant is an annual payment worth £405.10 in 2026/27 for youngsters aged 16, 17, 18 or 19 who care for people who get a disability benefit from the DWP for an average of 16 hours a week or more. Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance for new and existing claimants in Scotland and is worth £86.45 each week, some £345.80 every four week pay period.
Winter Heating Payment replaced the Cold Weather Payment delivered by DWP in 2023 and is worth £62.00 this winter. It is designed to help people on a low income or benefits who might have extra heating needs during the winter. Child Winter Heating Payment is an annual payment to help families of youngsters up to the age of 19 on the highest rate care component of disability benefits and worth £265.50.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is designed to help people of State Pension age with higher energy bills during the colder months. It replaces Winter Fuel payments for pensioners with a Scottish postcode. Winter 2026/27 rates are £105.55 for pensioners in residential care, £211.15 for single pensioners aged between 66 and 79, £316.70 for single pensioners aged 80 and over, £105.55 for pensioner couples aged between 66 and 79, and £158.35 for pensioner couples aged 80 and over.
Family and young people payments
Scottish Child Payment is £28.20 per week, per child - £112.80 every four weeks - to help towards the costs of looking after each child under 16 for families who get certain benefits. This is a separate payment to Child Benefit, delivered by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), for families in Scotland only.
Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment is a one-off payment of up to £796.65 from 24 weeks in pregnancy up until a baby turns six months for families who get certain benefits. The Subsequent Child Payment and Multiple Pregnancy Supplement payment is worth £398.35 in 2026/27. Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment is a one-off payment of £331.95 when a child is between two and three years and six months. Best Start Grant School Age Payment is a one-off payment of £331.95 when a child would normally start primary one.
Best Start Foods is a pre-paid card from pregnancy up to when a child turns three for families on certain benefits to help buy healthy food, with weekly rates of £11.20 higher rate and £5.60 lower rate.
Funeral Support Payment is money towards the costs of a funeral for people on certain benefits who are responsible for paying for a funeral. The current average payout is £1,800, with rates of £1,327.75 higher rate, £162.05 lower rate and £26.80 medical device removal rate. Job Start Payment is a one-off payment for 16 to 24 year olds who have been on certain benefits for six months or more to help with the costs of starting a job, with rates of £531.10 higher rate and £331.95 standard rate.
