New rules to support people arriving in Scotland 

Social Security Scotland has introduced new, long-term rules to help people who come to Scotland because of a crisis in another country. 

These rules make it easier and quicker for people to get the support they need when they arrive. They replace the need for special emergency laws each time a new crisis happens.  

Who the new rules are for 

These changes apply to people who: 

• had to flee a country where the UK Government advised people to leave, 

• were in a country evacuated by the UK Government, or 

• were given permission to enter or stay in the UK for humanitarian reasons. 

People who flee a crisis must arrive in the UK within 26 weeks of the UK Government’s advice or the start of evacuations. Support can then continue for up to 52 weeks (or 39 weeks for children under six months). 

There is no time limit for people granted humanitarian leave. 

Eligible individuals who were residing in Oman before 4 March 2026, and who arrive before 3 September 2026, will be covered by this exemption. 

What the changes mean 

1. Faster access to benefits 

People covered by the new rules can get certain benefits straight away, without needing to show: 

• they are habitually resident, or 

• they have lived in the UK for a set amount of time (the past presence test). 

This applies to disability benefits, carer benefits, Best Start Grants and Best Start Foods. 

2. Support for people stranded abroad 

Some people cannot return to the UK during a crisis because travel routes close or it is not safe. 

 To protect their support, the temporary absence limit for disability and carer benefits has been increased from 13 to 26 weeks in these situations. This prevents people from losing payments because of circumstances beyond their control. 

3. More support for families expecting a baby 

People covered by the new rules can now also receive the higher rate of Pregnancy and Baby Payment if their other children were born before they arrived in the UK. 

This change recognises that through no fault of their own many families are forced to leave belongings behind during crisis events, including essentials for a new baby. 

Why these changes were made 

Without these new rules, people arriving in Scotland might have to wait up to 26 weeks before they become eligible for certain forms of support — while people in other parts of the UK would receive help immediately. 

 The new approach ensures fairness, consistency and timely support during extremely difficult circumstances.