Welfare

Changes to work capability assessments announced in the Autumn Statement are "deeply concerning" and could mean people receive less support based on a change of criteria rather than a change in their health, social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said. While welcoming the fact that&nbs

Housing benefit is to be uprated for the first time in three years following yesterday's Autumn Statement but concerns have been raised that the move is not enough to address homelessness in Scotland.

Social Security Scotland has published its Annual Report and Accounts which show that it made £641 million in direct payments to people across Scotland from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023. The payments were made across 13 Scottish benefits, seven of which are completely new forms of support no

Vulnerable people in Argyll and Bute accessed more than £4.3 million of additional income in 2022/23 thanks to the council’s Welfare Rights Team. This is the highest annual figure ever achieved in the area and includes £534,669 for families affected by cancer, supported by the coun

A coalition of 15 national charities and organisations coordinated by Age Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to improve its plans for the new Pension Age Disability Payment by including extra mobility and travel support for recipients.

Scots have been urged to look out for scams as cost-of-living support payments of £300 start arriving in bank accounts this week.

Improving the way the Scottish system of social security delivers for people in need of support is at the heart of new legislation. Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill will enhance the rights of Social Security Scotland clients by int

Views are being sought on the introduction of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, a new benefit to replace the UK Government’s Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland. The Scottish Government has previously committed to delivering the new payment on a like-for-like basis with the existing benefit.

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) is voicing fears that vulnerable people could miss out on a lifeline payment amid the cost-of-living crisis.

More parents have been able to start work or progress their careers thanks to an initiative to expand access to school-age childcare, according to a new report. Eight childcare providers across Scotland received a share of almost £600,000 from the Scottish Government to help 650 children from

Councillors on Fife Council's Levenmouth Area Committee have agreed to support three worthwhile projects using cash from the area’s Local Community Planning (LCPB) Anti-Poverty fund.

More than 38,000 payments have been made to families to help with the costs of early learning and starting school. Families who qualify for Scottish Child Payment are now automatically awarded Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment when their child becomes eligible, without t

An online tool designed to ensure Scots are receiving all the benefits they are entitled to has identified £43 million in unclaimed money over the past year.

The families of more than 316,000 under-16s were benefitting from Scottish Child Payment by the end of June this year, according to the latest official statistics. New figures published today show the payment of £25 per week, which is unique in the UK, was reaching 316,190 - an increase of mor

People living in North Lanarkshire who face financial hardship are being encouraged to contact the council’s Tackling Poverty Team to make sure they are getting all the benefits they are due. This year an additional £40 million was secured for residents from advice services.