Social Security Scotland is the new service that has been created by the Scottish Government to deliver a number of benefits. These benefits will transfer from the UK Government to the Scottish Government in stages over the next four years. At the end of the transfer process they will be delivering benefits to provide additional support for people on low incomes, disabled people, carers, young people entering the workplace and to help people heat their homes.
Social Security Scotland’s head office is in Dundee with another major base in Glasgow. Once fully operational, will also provide a local presence across Scotland. They want their clients to be able to access our services as close to their homes as possible and in a way that suits them. Social Security Scotland will put dignity, fairness and respect at the heart of everything they do. The Council want to help claimants in our area to access the support that they are entitled to receive by signposting people to the Social Security Agency in Scotland.
Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods
A replacement of the UK Governments Healthy Start Voucher Scheme. Paper Vouchers will be replaced by a Payment Card giving eligible families more choice and flexibility to buy healthy food.
Funeral Support Payment
Replaces the Funeral Expenses Payment and provides eligible low income families with a contribution towards the cost of a funeral.
Young Carer Grant
This grant will be awarded to young carers aged 16 to 18 who do at least 16 hours of caring per week but don’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance.
Scottish Child Payment
Scottish Child Payment is a new payment for families on tax credits or certain benefits to help towards the costs of looking after a child. It’s £40 paid every four weeks for each child under six.
Child Winter Heating Assistance - a payment of £200 to help families of children receiving the highest rate care component of the Disability Living Allowance for children. You do not need to apply for the payment if the child currently lives in Scotland. If the child or young person is eligible, you'll be paid automatically into the same account that your Disability Living Allowance for children is paid into.
Child Disability Payment - Child Disability Payment replaces Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children and young people living in Scotland. You can apply for Child Disability Payment for a disabled child under 16. The disability can be mental or physical.
Adult Disability Payment - Adult Disability Payment is extra money to help you if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.
Pension Age Disability Payment - not available yet
Winter heating payments - Winter Heating Payment is to help people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs. It replaces the Cold Weather Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and has the same eligibility requirements.
Scottish Carer’s Allowance - Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment for people in Scotland who get Carer's Allowance on a particular date. Carer's Allowance Supplement is paid 2 times a year.