More than 960,000 people in Scotland received financial support through 17 devolved benefits during the last financial year, according to Social Security Scotland. These payments, available only in Scotland, include help for low-income families, pensioners, young people starting work, and unpaid carers.
Support for carers and families
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, so nobody needs to claim the new benefit. This provides an extra £609.30 over the 2026/27 financial year.
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 urged to check whether they could be due extra financial support, as many people fail to claim benefits they are entitled to. Eligibility can be checked quickly, confidentially, and free of charge using an online benefits calculator.
Key disability and carer payments
Adult Disability Payment, worth between £121.20 and £778.40 every four weeks in 2026/27, helps people with a long-term illness or disability affecting their everyday life. It replaces Personal Independence Payment previously delivered by the DWP. Weekly rates include daily living standard £76.70, enhanced £114.60, mobility standard £30.30, and enhanced £80.00.
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. Child Disability Payment, up to £778.40 every four weeks, helps with costs of caring for a child with a disability or ill-health condition, replacing Disability Living Allowance for children in Scotland.
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance is a closed benefit for pensioners transferring from the DWP. Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance for new and existing claimants in Scotland, worth £86.45 each week, or £345.80 every four weeks. Young Carer Grant is an annual payment of £405.10 for youngsters aged 16 to 19 who care for someone getting a disability benefit.
Heating and family payments
Winter Heating Payment, worth £62.00 annually, replaced the Cold Weather Payment in 2023. Child Winter Heating Payment is £265.50 annually for families of youngsters up to age 19 on the highest rate care component of disability benefits. Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, replacing Winter Fuel payments for pensioners with a Scottish postcode, ranges from £105.55 to £316.70 depending on circumstances.
Scottish Child Payment provides £28.20 per week per child, or £112.80 every four weeks, for families getting certain benefits. This is separate from Child Benefit. Best Start Grant payments include Pregnancy and Baby Payment (first child) of £796.65, Subsequent Child Payment of £398.35, Early Learning Payment of £331.95, and School Age Payment of £331.95. Best Start Foods is a pre-paid card for healthy food, with weekly rates of £11.20 (higher) and £5.60 (lower).
Other payments
Funeral Support Payment helps with funeral costs for people on certain benefits, with an average payout of £1,800. Payment rates are higher rate £1,327.75, lower rate £162.05, and medical device removal rate £26.80. Job Start Payment is a one-off payment for 16 to 24 year olds on certain benefits for six months or more, with higher rate £531.10 and standard rate £331.95.
The full list of payment rates can be found on GOV.SCOT.
