Annual Report: More than £100 million in direct payments through 10 Scottish benefits
Over 90% have good experience of Social Security Scotland.
The ten Scottish social security benefits paid £108.9 million to people across the country in 2020/21.
The payments, outlined in the Social Security Scotland 2020/21 Annual Report published today, include support for eligible families with young children, carers, people who need help paying for a funeral, young people entering the workplace and families with disabled children to provide help to heat their homes.
The annual Client Survey also published today shows that people have a very positive experience of Social Security Scotland with 92% of people saying their overall experience was ‘very good’ or ‘good’. 94% of people who had been in touch with our client advisers also said they had been treated with kindness.
Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said:
“Social security is a collective investment in the people of Scotland and building a fairer society for all. The investment that the Scottish Government provides through Scottish benefits and the work of Social Security Scotland is important because it tackles poverty and promotes equality. These payments go directly to people to help at key times in their lives – like when they’re having a new baby or starting a new job – and they also help to support carers.
“We are now delivering 11 benefits and 7 of them are brand new - and the more complex devolved disability and carer benefits have started to be rolled out. When all Scottish benefits have been introduced, we will support 1.8 million children and adults – around a third of people in Scotland.
“What’s also positive in this annual report is that, as well as getting people the money they are entitled to, it’s clear that overwhelmingly people are having a very positive experience when they are interacting with this new public service. People can be assured that Social Security Scotland will be there when they need it, and is a service that they can rely on and be proud of.”
Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland, David Wallace said:
"I am proud to say that, despite the challenges COVID-19 presented, we continued to pay out benefits throughout the year and deliver high levels of service to our clients.
“We also introduced three brand new benefits – Job Start Payment, Child Winter Heating Assistance and our most significant benefits to date - Scottish Child Payment - all while the majority of our staff worked remotely.
“As we grow and become responsible for delivering more benefits, we will continue to put our clients at the heart of our work and ensure that people are treated with dignity, fairness and respect.”
Background
- the Social Security Scotland Annual Report is available at https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/reporting/publications
- the full Client Survey summary is available at https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/reporting/publications/client-survey-2018-2021
- the Charter Measurement Framework 2020-21, a framework which tracks how well the new social security system is delivering on its commitments is available at https://www.gov.scot/publications/measuring-charter-social-security-scotland-scottish-government-delivering-charter-promised/documents
- the Department for Work and Pensions currently delivers some benefits on Social Security Scotland’s behalf. This is to ensure that people continue to receive the right payments at the right time whilst Social Security Scotland undertakes the work required to develop the new system in a safe and secure way
- the ten payments made last financial year were to clients receiving: 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, Scottish Child Payment and Child Winter Heating Assistance
- the Child Disability Payment pilot started in the summer and will be rolled out nationally on 22 November.
- people can find out more about the benefits Social Security Scotland delivers and apply at mygov.scot/benefits or by calling 0800 182 2222