Social security

Priority will be to deliver Scottish Child Payment.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP's update on devolved benefits to the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 1 April 2020.

Emergency Scottish legislation in response to coronavirus.

Healthy Start vouchers stop issuing in Scotland on 31 March.

New powers used to pay children up to the age of 18.

26 groups across Scotland share £600,000.

Range of measures to help those who need it most is dependent on budget passing.

Resources and information to help you to communicate with your staff and clients about the significant changes happening in the field of social security in Scotland.

Motability Scheme accredited to provide wide choice of vehicles at affordable rates.

Document setting out how Social Security Scotland will conduct investigations into benefit fraud and use the Social Security Assistance (Investigation of Offences) (Scotland) regulations 2020.

£3.4 billion will go directly to people in Scotland who need it the most.

View on the whole life costs and benefits of the programme, over a 30 year timeframe to 2050.

Information on applications and payments for Best Start Grant from 10 December 2018 to 31 December 2019 and Best Start Foods from 12 August 2019 to 31 December 2019.

Position paper sets out a range of improvements.

A report on the impact of inflation on devolved social security assistance as required under section 77 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.

Tackling the climate emergency and protecting public services.

Most vulnerable young people now eligible.

Extra help to pay for funerals.  

This document sets out the advocacy service standards required by section 11 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.

Analysis of responses from the consultation on the Social Security Advocacy Service Standards held between 11 July and 7 October 2019.

Our response to the consultation on Social Security Advocacy Service Standards.

Low income families provided with more than £3 million in one quarter to cover emergencies.

Analysis shows tens of thousands of people have completely lost their disability benefits since 2013.

Applications will be taken in advance for Scottish Child Payment to help with expected high demand.

UK welfare cuts leave families struggling to pay rent.

A report following the 2019 Annual Report on Welfare Reform focusing on the impact of UK Government Social Security policy on housing.

Easy read version of the first Scottish benefit take-up strategy.

Overview of the delivery of devolved benefits, delivery timetable, factsheets and information on spreading the word about devolved benefits.

Low income households helped through targeted support.

A strategy for evaluating the policy impact of the social security benefits devolved to Scotland.

Next Carer’s Allowance Supplement to be paid mid-December

Social Security Scotland client and staff insights research findings for the period September 2018 to June 2019.

Scottish Welfare Fund provides grants to those most in need.

Consultation supports proposals for person-centred approach.

Findings from research among Social Security Experience Panel members on the subject of advocacy standards.

Social Security Experience Panel members’ and other people’s experiences of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children.

Social Security Experience Panels members' views on renaming disability benefits when they are transferred from the UK Department for Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland.

Social Security Experience Panels members' views on renaming disability benefits when they are transferred from UK Department for Work and Pensions to Social Security Scotland.

Fairer Scotland Duty assessment of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 - Benefit Take-up Strategy - October 2019.

This take-up strategy is the first to be published under the provision of the Social Security (Scotland) Act.

Monitoring to be introduced to assess progress.

The Charter measurement framework document and a short user guide describing how the framework was made and how it will be used.

The process we undertook to co-develop a measurement framework that will show how well we are preforming against the Social Security Charter.

A short summary report, using images, to show how the social security Charter Measurement Framework was co-designed with people with lived experience of the social security system.

Support for third sector organisations delivering Scotland’s new benefits system.

16-18 year-olds to get cash support from next week.

Plans for the creation of new benefit outlined.

Policy and delivery developments to date on the Scottish Child Payment.

The Carers Strategic Policy Statement is intended to maximise the benefits from national policies and approaches intended to support carers (including major ongoing reforms such as implementation of the Carers (Scotland) Act and the development of our new social security powers for carers). It aims to do this by connecting a wide range of existing policies.

This report is published under Section 20 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 which requires Scottish Ministers to report annually on the performance of the Scottish social security system.

Cash boost for unemployed young people.

Scottish Government delivering sixth social security benefit.

Scottish families facing fall in income.  

Improved financial support to help with bereavement costs

Eligible families to start receiving new benefit next year.

We are seeking to engage with providers of cars, scooters and powered wheelchairs to deliver an affordable leasing scheme for individuals in receipt of disability benefits.

Families getting more support under new system.

Analysis of the consultation on timescales for adult carer support plans and young carer statements for carers of terminally ill persons. This analysis will help inform the development of the terminal illness regulations under the Carers Act 2016.

Visual summary of the Panels' views expressed in interviews and a survey on benefits case transfer process from UK Government Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Social Security Scotland.

Panels' views expressed in interviews and a survey on benefits case transfer process from UK Government Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Social Security Scotland.

Panels' views expressed in a survey on Personal Independence Payment health assessments.

Visual summary of Panels' views expressed in a survey on Personal Independence Payment health assessments.

Guide to planning your own funeral including help with costs.

Independent analysis of the consultation responses received in relation to the nvestigation of offences regulations and the code of practice for investigations.

Response to the main views expressed in the report on the consultation on the draft investigation of offences regulations and the code of practice for investigations, outlining where the draft code of practice has been updated and highlighting areas within the draft investigation of offences regulations that are being reviewed.

Scottish Welfare Fund annual spend hits £35 million.

Social Security Scotland announces first major recruitment drive in Glasgow.

This toolkit contains an overview of the delivery of devolved benefits, delivery timetable, factsheets and information on spreading the word about devolved benefits.

Creating a fairer system for all.

People with lived experience to have their say.

Analysis of responses to our consultation on Job Grant, a new benefit to support young people moving back into employment.

Our response to Scottish Commission on Social Security regarding their recommendations about the draft regulations of Young Carer Grant.

Young Carer Grant child rights and wellbeing impact assessment was consulted upon between 17 September to 10 December 2018, and was further refined prior to laying the YCG draft regulations on 20 June 2019.

An assessment into the potential impacts that Young Carer Grant may have on island and rural communities.

The draft Young Carer Grant Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment was consulted upon between 17 September - 10 December 2018 before being refined prior to the draft regulations being laid in Parliament on 20 June 2019.

Our response to Scottish Commission on Social Security regarding their recommendations about the draft regulations of Young Carer Grant.

Children under six set to gain from 2021.

Statement from Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Aileen Campbell to the Scottish Parliament.

Process of development of the Scottish Child Payment and the expected policy impacts it will have.

The first annual progress report for 'Every child, every chance: tackling child poverty delivery plan 2018-2022'.

Annex C: ethnicity breakdowns, where possible, for the Child Poverty Measurement Framework indicators.

Annex B: trends over time for each of the Child Poverty Measurement framework indicators, and which of the four child poverty targets each indicator influences.

Annex A: child poverty evaluation strategy.

Process of development of the Scottish Child Payment and the expected policy impacts it will have.

Analysis undertaken to inform the development of the income supplement policy, a flagship commitment in our Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan for 2018-2022.

Annex C: ethnicity breakdowns, where possible, for the Child Poverty Measurement Framework indicators.

Annex A: child poverty evaluation strategy.

Annex B: trends over time for each of the Child Poverty Measurement framework indicators, and which of the four child poverty targets each indicator influences.

The first annual progress report for 'Every child, every chance: tackling child poverty delivery plan 2018-2022'.

Process of development of the Scottish Child Payment and the expected policy impacts it will have.

Information about the new benefit for low income families with children under six.

New benefit for eligible teenagers to launch this autumn.

Independent analysis report detailing the findings of the 2018 Young Carer Grant consultation on the draft regulations.

The Scottish Government's response to the Young Carer Grant consultation stakeholder responses.

Findings from a survey conducted by Survation with a selection of Scottish adults on attitudes to funeral savings and a proposed government-supported Incentivised Funeral Savings Scheme.

This focus group research was conducted by Progressive Partnership with a selection of Scottish adults on attitudes to funeral savings and a proposed government-supported Incentivised Funeral Savings Scheme (IFSS).

Main findings from focus group research conducted by Progressive Partnership with a selection of Scottish adults on attitudes to funeral savings and a proposed government-supported Incentivised Funeral Savings Scheme (IFSS).

Carers get more support in Scotland than rest of UK

Full Best Start Grant package now available.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Pregnancy and baby benefit will not jeopardise immigration status.

The Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF) aims to provide a safety net to people on low incomes through Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants.

Response to the consultation of Scottish Government guidance on funeral costs.

Island Communities Impact Assessment of Scottish Government guidance on funeral costs.

Fairer Scotland Duty assessment of guidance on funeral costs.

Equality Impact assessment of guidance on funeral costs.

Guidance on funeral costs published under Section 98 of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016.

Recommendations to make clear cost information available.

Contract awarded to support design of social security assessments.

This report outlines the Social Security Experience Panels views expressed in a survey about overpayments.

This visual summary outlines the Social Security Experience Panels views expressed in a survey about overpayments.

This report outlines the Social Security Experience Panel Members views expressed in a survey about their experiences of the Scottish Welfare Fund.

This report explores Experience Panel member views on claiming Attendance Allowance.

This report details the findings from Experience Panels research into Attendance Allowance. The report explores views around applying for Attendance Allowance, awareness of the benefit and perceptions on what the benefit is for.

This summary outline the research on the interviews conducted with the experience panel members and other user groups on Funeral Expense Assistance.

This summary outlines the Social Security Experience Panel Members views expressed in a survey about their experiences of the Scottish Welfare Fund.

Social Security Secretary welcomes interest in new benefit.

Work to do but plans in place to deliver benefits system.

Financial help in time of crisis.

More than 9,700 families receive Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby payment.

£250 benefit starts Monday and will be fourth new social security benefit.

Social Security Scotland makes almost £200m of payments

This report details the key themes from research into social security client expectations on agency buildings, facilities and privacy.

This report details the key themes from research into social security client expectations on agency buildings, facilities and privacy.

This report considers client’s views on contacting Social Security Scotland by phone.

This report considers client’s views on contacting Social Security Scotland by phone.

This report details the themes and findings from research into client expectations of staff members working for Scotland’s social security agency.

This report details the themes and findings from research into client expectations of staff members working for Scotland’s social security agency.

This report considers views on recruitment processes, perceptions of the Civil Service and how recruitment can be made more accessible.

This report considers views on recruitment processes, perceptions of the Civil Service and how recruitment can be made more accessible.

This report outlines experiences of Carer’s Allowance and views relating to the introduction of Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

This visual summary outlines experiences of Carer’s Allowance and views relating to the introduction of Carer’s Allowance Supplement

Scottish Welfare Fund local authority budget allocation figures for 2019 to 2020.

An independent review of the Disability and Carers Benefits Expert Advisory Group.

Information on the extension of free personal care for people under the age of 65.

Seeks views on our proposed approach to delivery of devolved disability assistance in Scotland.

Consultation starts on delivering a fairer system.

Our position on the principles we are adopting to determine the duration of awards and automatic entitlement.

Our position on the transfer of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).

Sets out the next steps for carer benefits in Scotland.

Our position on assistance available where a continuing payment has been reduced or stopped.

Sets out our rationale around delivery and sequencing of benefits.

Our position on qualifying periods for each form of Disability Assistance.

Our position and progress in developing a new approach to face-to-face assessments.

Sets out our position on winter benefits.

Our position on the continued delivery of Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA).

Our position and progress in developing a new definition of terminal illness.

Sets out our approach to transferring existing benefits from the DWP to Social Security Scotland.

Timetable for remaining devolved benefits outlined.

100 staff to help those who need it most by the end of the year.

Independent analysis of responses to our public consultation about draft guidance on funeral costs.

More paid out in two months than DWP paid in a full year.

Final report from the Ministerial Strategic Group for Health and Community Care reviews the progress and draws together the proposals for ensuring the success of integration.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

New benefit to be introduced from June.

Consultation paper to seek views on and help inform regulations to prescribie timescales for the completion of adult carer support plans and young carers statements, for carers of terminally ill persons under the Carers (Scotland) 2016 Act.

New benefit will increase eligibility by around 40%.

Our response to consultation on Funeral Expense (Scotland) Regulations 2019 that will replace the UK Government’s Funeral Expenses Payment (FEP) in Scotland.

Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) of Funeral Expense Assistance (Scotland) Regulations 2019.

Equality impact assessment (EQIA) of Funeral Expense Assistance (Scotland) Regulations 2019.

Fairer Scotland Duty assessment of Funeral Expense Assistance (Scotland) Regulations 2019.

Islands communities screening assessment of Funeral Expense Assistance (Scotland) Regulations 2019.

Summary of the Fairer Scotland Duty assessment that was undertaken with regards to the Early Years Assistance (Best Start Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2019.

Grant will help with costs of starting work.

Social security charter laid for the approval of the Scottish Parliament.

Report on the process used for development of the Scottish Social Security Charter.

Visual summary of a co-design process for development of the Scottish Social Security Charter.

New body will provide independent and expert scrutiny.

Scottish Government helps thousands hit by benefit cuts.

Parents welcome improved support.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Claimants face lengthy wait for payment.

Information booklet (HCS1) providing advice on what help a person may be entitled to for NHS charges.

Pregnancy and Baby Payment applications open on Monday 10 December.

Consultation on the draft of The Continuing Care (Scotland) Amendment Order 2019 which will increase the higher age limit for persons eligible for continuing care from twenty to twenty-one years of age from April 2019.

Based on Scottish Household Survey 2017, this data comic focuses on inequalities in neighbourhood rating, internet access, cultural attendance, physical activity, access to green and blue space, communities and household finances in Scotland.

Independent analysis of responses to consultation on draft regulations to implement Funeral Expense Assistance (FEA) in Scotland by summer 2019.

Findings from the initial research with young carers ahead of the introduction of the new Young Carer Grant.

Findings from the initial research with young carers ahead of the introduction of the new Young Carer Grant.

Panel members' views on the opening times and contact preferences for Social Security Scotland.

Panel members' views on the opening times and contact preferences for Social Security Scotland.

Analysis of responses to the joint Scottish Government and COSLA consultation on the new Early Learning and Childcare service model for 2020.

Thousands of Scots exercising their choices.

Helping people through difficult times.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Call for halt of UC roll-out repeated. 

Demographic information about the make-up of the Experience Panels and their feedback on participating in the research so far.

Summary of demographic information about the make-up of the Experience Panels and their feedback on participating in the research so far.

Carers welcome much needed cash boost.

UK Government urged to end benefits freeze.

New report shows devastating impact of UK Government cuts.

No private sector involvement in process.

Consultation on new benefit.

We are consulting on the development of the policy and regulations for the Young Carer Grant, a new benefit which will be delivered by Social Security Scotland.

This report provides the findings of a consultation exercise carried out as part of a national review of care allowances.

New benefit will be paid more than six months ahead of schedule.

A national review of Care allowances was carried out between November 2017 and August 2018. Here is a report on the findings of that review along with 12 recommendations.

Scotland’s new public service to make first social security payments.

Application process begins next week.

The report summarises the results of the Personal Independence Payment Discovery Research which took place in late 2017 and early 2018 with a number of Experience Panel members and others.

The report summarises the results of the Best Start Grant Alpha research involving Experience Panel members and other user groups.

Guidance on funeral costs.

This consultation document seeks views on draft statutory guidance on funeral costs for local authorities, burial and cremation authorities and funeral directors.

Consultation paper on Investigation of Offences regulations and a Code of Practice for Investigations under Sections 75 and 76 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act.

Fund helps low income households through difficult times.

Statistics release presenting client and expenditure figures for financial year 2016 to 2017 for free personal and nursing care (FPNC).

Shirley-Anne Somerville visits Peebles CAB office.

The Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF) aims to provide a safety net to people on low incomes through Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants.

Department of Work and Pensions urged to deliver on its commitments.

New funeral benefit available to 50% more people

Consultation on the draft regulations to implement Funeral Expense Assistance (FEA) in Scotland by summer 2019.

Funeral planning training helps advisers offer support

New report highlights effects on housing. 

Legislation to establish Scottish social security.

Recruitment commences for jobs to provide support in communities.

New amendment to Social Security (Scotland) Bill

Independent services for disabled people

Scottish Welfare Fund local authority budget allocation figures for 2018 to 2019.

Evaluation report of the "You've Earned It" benefit uptake campaign that ran in October 2017.

“Good early progress” highlighted by Auditor General

Best Start Grant regulations consultation

80 new social security jobs available in Dundee.

Commitment to inflation-linked payments

This guidance on the Scottish Welfare Fund aims to provide a framework for decision-makers to promote consistency in decision making.

More flexibility to help people manage their money.

Scottish Welfare Fund helps hundreds of thousands of households.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

More than 2,500 people take up Scottish Universal Credit choices 

New independent body to hold system “to account”.

Social security applicants guaranteed support.

Agreement reached with COSLA.

The Scottish Government responds to the Social Security Committee’s Stage 1 report on the Social Security (Scotland) Bill.

Social Security (Scotland) Bill policy paper: funeral expense assistance illustrative regulations and policy narrative

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Part of a series of papers setting out the Scottish Government's position on issues relating to the Social Security (Scotland) Bill.

Analysis of the impact of Personal Independence Payments and changes to employment and support allowance.

Part of a series of papers setting out the Scottish Government's position on issues relating to the Social Security (Scotland) Bill.

NHS reform progressing well and patient satisfaction is high.

Major system to support delivery of first benefits.

Choices for Scottish claimants begin.

Local and Scottish Government demand assurance from UK Government.

A campaign toolkit to promote the contribution older people make to their communities in Scotland.

Social Security (Scotland) Bill - Policy Position Paper

Social Security (Scotland) Bill - Policy Position Paper

The Scottish Government’s approach to IT for Social Security.

The Scottish Government’s approach to Agency implementation.

FM confirms locations in Dundee and Glasgow.

Statistics release presenting client and expenditure figures for financial year 2015 to 2016 for free personal and nursing care (FPNC).

Round-table meeting to agree next steps.

Action plan to tackle funeral poverty and make more affordable funeral options available.

Diagram showing the relationships between the various social security stakeholder groups.

Analysis of responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Universal Credit Claims and Payments (Scotland) Regulations.

An analysis of responses to the Scottish Government’s consultation on the Universal Credit Claims and Payments (Scotland) Regulations.

The Scottish Government's response to the consultation on the Universal Credit (Claims and Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 2017.

Report on the impacts of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 on the people of Scotland and other welfare measures passed since 2010.

Collection of the analysis and evidence behind the Ministerial Statement on Scotland's social security agency, made on 27 April 2017.