Welfare benefits in Scotland

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This advice applies in Scotland only. Most of the benefits that families in Scotland can claim are UK-wide and claimed from either the Department for Works and Pensions or HMRC. However, some benefits are different in Scotland, and these are run by an agency called Social Security Scotland.

Benefits that apply in Scotland only

Social Security Scotland is responsible for the following benefits, which apply only in Scotland:

• Child Disability Payment
• Adult Disability Payment & disability benefits at 16
• Carer Support Payment
• Best Start Grant
• Best Start Foods
• Carer’s Allowance Supplement
• Young Carer Grant
• Funeral Support Payment
• Child Winter Heating Payment
• Scottish Child Payment
• Challenging decisions

UK-wide benefits that apply in Scotland

These benefits apply across the UK, including in Scotland:

• Universal Credit
  • Moving onto Universal Credit from legacy benefits
  • Universal Credit for young people receiving education
  • Backdating of the disabled child addition and carer element of Universal Credit
• Tax credits
• Help with Council Tax
• “Bedroom tax”
• Other benefits

More financial support in Scotland

You can also read about financial support from councils in Scotland, how to manage your finances and how to get them checked.