Welfare

An inquiry has been launched by Holyrood’s social security committee as estimates suggest a huge number of benefits remain unclaimed by those eligible for them. The inquiry aims to explore the extent of the issue and what can be done to tackle it.

A new benefit providing help for people on low incomes to meet the costs of a funeral will be available from next week. Funeral Support Payment will be delivered by Social Security Scotland from September 16 and will replace the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Funeral Expense Payment for peop

Low income families will be able to apply for a new £10 a week payment for every child aged 0-6 next year after the Scottish Government brought forward its Scottish Child Payment. As part of measures to lift 30,000 children out of poverty, the benefit, which was due to launch in 2021, will now

Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS) has called for action to reduce the ‘five week wait’ that claimants of Universal Credit (UC) face before receiving their first payment.

A report released today from Crisis has indicated that investment in housing benefit would prevent thousands from becoming homeless. The organisation believes that restoring the levels of housing benefit, otherwise known as Local Housing Allowance (LHA), could make a colossal difference to levels of

Over £35 million in additional benefits has been generated for residents by North Lanarkshire advice services. A total of £35,368,140 has been awarded to local residents in 2018/19 following help and support from housing and social work services staff, the Financial Inclusion Service and

A council's decision to close a fund supporting the provision of free advice in relation to housing, financial inclusion and social welfare law in Glasgow has been condemned by a leading lawyer.

The Highland Council’s Welfare Support Team and Citizens Advice assisted more than 22,000 customers during 2018/19 for support with welfare, debt and housing issues, new figures have shown. A total of 3,372 customers were helped by the Welfare Support Team and 18,777 clients were assisted by C

Landlords in Perth are being encouraged to attend an event to learn more about Universal Credit.

Universal Credit is causing tenants to fall behind with their rent, according to new research.

The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) has urged Dundee landlords to attend a Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) event to learn more about Universal Credit. The membership body for private rented sector landlords said attendees will learn about Universal Credit and what it means for the

Free financial advice service Money Talk Team has helped low-income households save more than £6 million, the Scottish Government has revealed.

Caroline Kennedy, a member of the Poverty Truth Community based in Glasgow and former member of the Scottish Poverty and Inequality Commission, reflects on how the new Scottish Child Payment could make a difference to the lives of children in Scotland. When the Scottish ministers did the decent thin

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has challenged parliamentary under-secretary of state for welfare delivery Will Quince MP to address the “major concerns” it has regarding social security delivery. The organisation has written to Mr Quince after his responsibilities

People with disabilities will have more choice in how they apply for benefits when the Scottish Government takes responsibility for Disability Assistance next year.