The beginning of a new year provides a perfect opportunity to make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), your local council and Social Security Scotland.
The cost of living crisis squeezed household budgets to breaking point in 2022 and shows little sign of easing up anytime soon, despite additional support through the UK Government’s £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee and £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme. There was also targeted payment support for those on a low-income, people claiming disability benefits and pensioner households.
The Scottish Government also recently launched a new website, ‘Cost of Living Support Scotland’, providing details on the wide range of advice, information and financial help available to households and individuals across the country. Similar to the UK Government’s dedicated pages on GOV.UK, the website has been developed as a ‘one stop shop’ to help those struggling with the rising costs of daily living and energy bills.
January is the ideal time to get your household finances in order and stat planning for the year ahead - whether they are in work or not.
Many people may not be aware that there are 12 benefits and payments unique to Scotland with another one due to launch next month. Below is everything you need to know with direct links to the dedicated pages on the mygov.scot website.
13 benefits and payments unique to Scotland
The benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland are listed below.
February - Winter Heating Payment
This is a new annual payment of £50 to help people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs during the winter. It replaces the Cold Weather Payment delivered by DWP - find out more here.
Child Winter Heating Assistance
This is an annual payment of £214.10 to help families of a child on the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for Children to heat their homes - find out more here.
Scottish Child Payment
This is a payment of £25 per week per child - £100 every four weeks - to help towards the costs of looking after each child under 16 for families who get certain benefits - find out more here.
Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment
This is a one-off payment of up to £642.35 from 24 weeks in pregnancy up until a baby turns six months for families who get certain benefits - find out more here.
Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment
This is a one-off payment of £267.65 when a child is between two and three years and six months for families who get certain benefits - find out more here.
Best Start Grant School Age Payment
This is a one-off payment of £267.65 when a child would normally start primary one for families who get certain benefits - find out more here.
Best Start Foods
This is a pre-paid card from pregnancy up to when a child turns three for families on certain benefits to help buy healthy food - find out more here.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement
This is an automatic payment made twice a year to people who get Carer’s Allowance through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on certain dates each year - find out more here.
Funeral Support Payment
This is money towards the costs of a funeral at a difficult time like this for people on certain benefits who are responsible for paying for a funeral. The current average payout is £1,800 - find out more here.
Job Start Payment
This is a one-off payment of £267.65 for 16 to 24 year olds who have been on certain benefits for six months or more to help with the costs of starting a job - find out more here.
Young Carer Grant
This is an annual payment of £326.65 for people 16, 17 or 18 who care for people who get a disability benefit from the DWP for an average of 16 hours a week or more - find out more here.
Child Disability Payment
This is extra money - up to the value of £627.60 every four weeks - to help with the costs of caring for a child with a disability or ill-health condition. It replaces Disability Living Allowance for children in Scotland that was previously delivered by the DWP - find out more here.
Adult Disability Payment
This is extra money - up to the value of £627.60 every four weeks - to help people who have a long-term illness or a disability that affects their everyday life. It replaces Personal Independence Payment people in Scotland previously delivered by the DWP - find out more here.
To find out more about any of the benefits or payments, or to apply visit Social Security Scotland online here or contact them on 0800 182 2222.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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