Social security is a human right. Any of us could need this support at some point in our lives. Social Security Scotland delivers 15 benefits for families, low-income households, disabled people and carers.
Support for unpaid carers
Carer Support Payment is replacing Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. The payment is available to people providing care for 35 hours or more a week to someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit. The carer needs to earn less than £151 per week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.
Carer Support Payment is also available to many carers who are currently in education.
Carers in Scotland who are already receiving Carer’s Allowance don’t need to apply for Carer Support Payment. Their award will be automatically transferred.
Young Carer Grant is available for carers aged 16, 17 or 18 years who provide support for an average of 16 hours a week to one or more people receiving certain disability benefits. It is a yearly payment of £383.75 and the money can be spent on whatever the young person wants.
Support for people living with dementia
Social Security Scotland delivers three disability payments: Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment.
Adult Disability Payment is extra money to help with the costs that come with being disabled or having a long-term health condition such as dementia.
To apply for Adult Disability Payment you must be between 16 and State Pension age.
If you currently get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), your award will automatically transfer to Social Security Scotland.
Pension Age Disability Payment is a new benefit replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. It is for people of State Pension age and over who have care needs because of a disability or long-term health condition.
The payment is being rolled out in stages. You can apply now if you live in Aberdeen City, Argyll and Bute, Highland, Orkney and Shetland. It will become available in more areas from March 2025, before it becomes available throughout Scotland from April 2025.
If you currently get Attendance Allowance from the DWP, your award will automatically transfer to Social Security Scotland.
People can apply for disability benefits under special rules if they have a terminal illness. This means that Social Security Scotland will be able to process their application more quickly.
How to apply
People can check their eligibility for payments and apply online at mygov.scot, by post or over the phone by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
Local support is also available from client support advisers and can be arranged by calling the number above.
Information in other languages is available and an interpreter can be arranged.
The independent advocacy organisation Voiceability is a free service to help disabled people make benefit applications. They can be contacted by calling 0300 303 1660 or emailing [email protected]