More than 960,000 people across Scotland received financial support through 17 devolved benefits during the last financial year, according to Social Security Scotland. The agency now delivers a growing number of payments not available elsewhere in the UK, including 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, those who are terminally ill, and assistance towards heating costs and funeral expenses. With new benefit rates now in force for the 2026/27 financial year, households are being urged to check whether they could be missing out on extra financial support using an online benefits calculator, which is free and confidential.
Carer Support Payment and Scottish Carer Supplement
More than 94,000 unpaid carers started receiving an extra payment in March 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, meaning nobody needs to claim the new benefit. The payment will provide unpaid carers with an extra £609.30 over the 2026/27 financial year.
Disability and Health-Related Benefits
Adult Disability Payment provides up to £778.40 every four weeks for people with long-term illness or disability affecting everyday life. Weekly rates are: daily living standard £76.70, enhanced £114.60; mobility standard £30.30, enhanced £80.00.
Pension Age Disability Payment replaces Attendance Allowance in Scotland, offering weekly payments of £76.70 or £114.60 (paid every four weeks: £306.80 or £458.40).
Child Disability Payment provides up to £778.40 every four weeks for children with disabilities or ill-health conditions, replacing Disability Living Allowance for children.
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance is a closed benefit for pensioners transferring from DWP, with weekly rates: daily living lower £30.30, standard £76.70, enhanced £114.60; mobility standard £30.30, enhanced £80.00.
Carer and Young Carer Payments
Young Carer Grant is an annual payment of £405.10 for youngsters aged 16-19 who care for someone receiving a disability benefit for at least 16 hours a week.
Carer Support Payment replaces Carer's Allowance in Scotland, worth £86.45 weekly (£345.80 every four weeks).
Winter Heating Payments
Winter Heating Payment is an annual £62.00 payment for people on low income or benefits with extra heating needs, replacing the DWP's Cold Weather Payment.
Child Winter Heating Payment provides £265.50 annually for families of children up to age 19 on the highest rate care component of disability benefits.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment offers between £105.55 and £316.70 annually for pensioners, replacing Winter Fuel Payments. Rates: residential care £105.55; single 66-79 £211.15; single 80+ £316.70; couples 66-79 £105.55; couples 80+ £158.35.
Child and Family Payments
Scottish Child Payment is £28.20 per week per child (£112.80 every four weeks) for families on certain benefits with children under 16.
Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment offers £796.65 for first child and £398.35 for subsequent children or multiple births.
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment is a one-off £331.95 for children aged two to three years and six months.
Best Start Grant School Age Payment is a one-off £331.95 when a child starts primary one.
Best Start Foods provides a pre-paid card for healthy food from pregnancy to age three, with weekly rates: higher £11.20, lower £5.60.
Other Payments
Funeral Support Payment provides money towards funeral costs for those on certain benefits, with average payout £1,800. Rates: higher £1,327.75, lower £162.05, medical device removal £26.80.
Job Start Payment is a one-off payment for 16-24 year olds on certain benefits for six months or more to help with job starting costs. Rates: higher £531.10, standard £331.95.
