Social Security Scotland

Social Security Scotland was set up by the Scottish Government to deliver a number of benefits. These benefits will be introduced in stages by the Scottish Government. 

Once all of these benefits have been introduced, Social Security Scotland will be delivering benefits for families on low incomes, people who need help paying for a funeral, disabled people, carers, young people entering the workplace and to help people heat their homes.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local authorities will also continue to deliver some benefits in Scotland. 

Social Security Scotland currently deliver eight benefits:

• Carer’s Allowance Supplement
• Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment
• Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment
• Best Start Grant School Age Payment
• Best Start Foods
• Funeral Support Payment
• Young Carer Grant
• Job Start Payment (Opens in a new window or downloads a file)

How Do I Apply?

Visit Benefits and Grants at mygov.scot (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) to apply online.

You can also call freephone on 0800 182 2222 (8am to 6pm Monday to Friday) to complete an application over the phone or to request a paper application form.

If you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND BSL (Opens in a new window or downloads a file) app to contact Social Security Scotland by video relay.