The Scottish Government has published a five-year strategy to make it easier for people to claim benefits and access financial support, with the aim of reducing poverty and improving household incomes.
The Benefit Take-Up Strategy 2026-2031, published on October 21, sets out proposals to improve awareness of available payments, simplify application processes and strengthen connections between public services. A key ambition is to explore better use of information already held by public bodies to identify people who may qualify for additional financial assistance.
Exploring automation and linked entitlements
The strategy also includes plans to examine whether automated processes and linked benefit entitlements could reduce the need for people to complete separate applications or repeatedly provide the same supporting evidence.
However, these measures are being explored as part of the strategy and do not represent the immediate introduction of automatic payments for all eligible households.
The Scottish Government said the approach would help move towards a system that identifies financial need earlier, rather than relying on people to find their own way through complex benefit rules.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "Our new Benefit Take-up Strategy works towards a more joined-up, proactive and person-centred system of support, in line with our wider approach to public service reform."
Four priorities for improving access
The strategy identifies four priorities for improving access to financial assistance over the next five years:
- Data sharing and referrals: Improving how public services identify people who may qualify for support and connect them with relevant organisations.
- Support before applying: Making free advice, advocacy and practical help more accessible through local services and trusted organisations.
- Awareness and outreach: Reaching people who may not know they qualify for benefits or face difficulties accessing information.
- Simpler applications: Exploring ways to reduce paperwork, repeated evidence requests and unnecessary applications through more accessible processes and automation.
The Scottish Government said any improvements to data sharing would need to be lawful, transparent and supported by appropriate safeguards.
It also distinguished between signposting people towards available services and formal referrals, which may involve sharing personal information where a suitable legal basis and safeguards are in place.
Helping people access their full entitlement
The strategy recognises that financial support is not limited to benefits administered by Social Security Scotland. Payments such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit, which remain the responsibility of the UK Government, can also provide access to other forms of assistance.
These may include Scottish benefits, local authority support and help with childcare costs. The Scottish Government wants to improve connections between these services so people can receive clearer information about their full entitlements.
It also plans to strengthen access to free income maximisation advice, which can help households identify benefits and financial assistance they may be missing.
Changes planned up to 2031
The strategy will be delivered in three phases, beginning with improvements to existing support before moving towards testing new approaches and embedding successful changes.
The Scottish Government said its ambition was for people to receive the right support at the right time, without having to navigate complicated systems alone. It also committed to challenging stigma surrounding benefit claims and improving access for groups who may be less likely to engage with existing services.
The full Benefit Take-Up Strategy 2026-2031 is available on the Scottish Government website.
