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 possibleand 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.
What is Happening Next
Following the introduction of the three Best Start Grants and the new Carer’s Allowance Supplement the Scottish Government has set out the following timetable for the delivery of the remaining devolved benefits:
WHEN | WHAT |
|---|---|
AUTUMN 2019 | |
As soon as practicable | |
| Applications now open for first payments in Feb 21 | |
SUMMER 2020 | Disability Assistance for Children and Young People |
SUMMER 2020 | Eligibility for Disability Assistance for Children and Young People extended from age 16 to 18 |
BY END 2020 | Children who receive the highest care component of Disability Assistance become entitled to Child Winter Heating Assistance |
EARLY 2021 | Disability Assistance for Working Age People |
EARLY 2021 | New additional payment for carer’s who look after more than one disabled child |
2021 | Disability Assistance for Older People (over 65) |
WINTER 2021 | Winter Heating Assistance and Cold Spell Heating Assistance |
EARLY 2022 | Scottish Carer’s Allowance |
AUTUMN 2022 | Employment Injury Assistance |
BY END OF 2022 | Scottish Child Payment (all children under 16) |
Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods - available now - find out more on Best Start Foods here
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 - available from Monday 16th September 2019
Replaces the Funeral Expenses Payment and provides eligible low income families with a contribution towards the cost of a funeral.
Young Carer Grant - available from 21st October 2019
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 - applications open now for applications with first payments made in February 2021
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.
You'll get a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made. You can find out more about the Child Winter Heating Assistance payment on the Scottish Government website