Welfare

Money to help with heating costs is on its way to around 400,000 people on low incomes through the Scottish Government benefit Winter Heating Payment.

The voices and experiences of West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA) tenants were presented to the UK Government this week as part of a new report by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) outlining the devastating impact the cost-of-living crisis has had on social housing tenan

The families of more than 323,000 under-16s were benefitting from Scottish Child Payment at the end of September, official statistics show. New figures published this week show the payment of £25 per week was reaching 323,315 children - an increase of more than 7,000 compared to 30 June 2023.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has warned MPs they must take immediate action after a new report laid bare the devastating impact of the cost-of-living crisis on Scotland’s social tenants. Following last week’s announcements in the Autumn Statement and a

A new report has highlighted the ongoing range of work being done to tackle child poverty in Perth and Kinross. The 5th Local Child Poverty Action Report (LCPAR) by Perth & Kinross Council and NHS Tayside says that child poverty rates in Perth and Kinross have remained stable between 2017 and 20

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