Benefits and payments
Information about benefits, payments or support with work.
Cost of Living Payments 2024
You could get a payment if you're on a low income, get tax credits or disability benefits or if you're a pensioner.
Scottish Child Payment
If you're on a low income, you could get a weekly payment of £26.70 for every child you look after under 16 years old.
Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods
You could get payments from Social Security Scotland to help towards the costs of being pregnant or looking after a child.
Universal Credit
You could get Universal Credit if you're on a low income, out of work or cannot work.
Pension Credit
You could get Pension Credit if you're over State Pension age and on a low income.
Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance
Carer Support Payment became available across Scotland from November 2024. This benefit replaces Carer’s Allowance in Scotland.
You could get £81.90 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits.
Check if you can get Carer Support Payment.
If you already get Carer's Allowance
If you get Carer's Allowance and live in Scotland, you do not need to apply for Carer Support Payment. Your benefit will move to Carer Support Payment by spring 2025.
Learn more about moving from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment.
Carer's Allowance Supplement
Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment to help carers in Scotland who get Carer's Allowance.
Scottish Welfare Fund
You could get a Crisis Grant if you need financial help in an emergency or a Community Care Grant if you need help living in your community.
Funeral Support Payment
Funeral Support Payment can help pay for funeral costs. It will not usually cover the full cost of a funeral but can help towards it.