Benefits if you are Sick, Disabled or a Carer

You can get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work.  It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks. 

From April 2026 all eligible employees can get this regardless of what they earn, and can be paid from first full day of sickness.

To qualify for Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) you must:

• be classed as an employee and have done some work for your employer
• tell your employer you’re sick before their deadline - or within 7 days if they do not have one

You can no longer apply for Employment Support Allowance as a means tested benefit.  It has been replaced by Universal Credit.

New Style ESA is a contributory benefit. Normally, this means you may be able to get it if you’ve paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions in the 2 full tax years before the year you’re claiming in.

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. It’s paid monthly - or twice a month for some people in Scotland.

If you don’t have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment you may be able to get an advance of your first Universal Credit payment.

• you’re on a low income or out of work,
• you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17),
• you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is),
• you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you, and
• you live in the UK.

• at work
• on an approved employment training scheme or course

• you were employed on an approved employment training scheme in mainland UK when the accident or event happened,
• you were employed in a job or were on an approved employment training scheme or course that caused your disease. The scheme covers more than 70 diseases.

Adult Disability Payment is extra money to help you if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life. This can be claimed even if you are in work and your income and savings are not taken into account.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

If you need more support, you can also ask Social Security Scotland for an appointment with their Local Delivery service.

You must be aged 16 or over and have not reached State Pension age to claim. You must also have a health condition or disability where you:

• have had difficulties with daily living or getting around (or both)

You do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment if you already get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Pension Age Disability Payment

Pension Age Disability Payment can give you extra money if you have both:

• care needs because of a disability or long-term health condition
• reached State Pension age

You can apply for Pension Age Disability Payment if you have both:

• reached State Pension age
• had care needs during the day or night for 6 months or more because of a disability or health condition

You can still apply if:

• you’ve not had care needs for 6 months or more (your award will begin 6 months from when your care needs started if your application is successful)
• you’re waiting for, or do not have, a diagnosis
• you have a terminal illness (there is a separate fast-track application process if you’re terminally ill)

Child Disability Payment

Child Disability Payment (CDP) provides support for the extra costs of looking after a child who has a mental or physical disability. It replaces Disability Living Allowance for children.

The CDP rates depend on the level of help the child needs.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

If you need more support, you can also ask Social Security Scotland for an appointment with their Local Delivery service.

Any adult with parental responsibilities and rights or a guardian can apply for Child Disability Payment on behalf of the child if the child:

• is under 16
• lives in Scotland
• have a mental or physical disability.

Apply even if you're waiting for a diagnosis by telling about how they're affected and any symptoms they may have.

Carer Support Payment

Carer Support Payment is money to help you if you’re a carer and you live in Scotland. This replaces Carers Allowance paid in the rest of the UK.

You will also receive additional Scottish Carer Supplement payments without having to apply.

If you are a young carer 16-18 and live in Scotland, you may be eligible for a Young Carer Grant

You must care for someone at least 35 hours a week for a person receiving certain benefits, and earning must be below the earnings threshold. 

If you do not qualify for this and you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week, you may be entitled to Carers Credit, which is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record.

Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment for young carers in Scotland.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

To be able to get Young Carer Grant, you must be 16, 17 or 18 years old.

You must care for someone at least 16 hours a week and they get certain benefits.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It has been replaced by Universal Credit for most people.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

• you have reached State Pension age
• you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

If other cases, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

• All occupants are classed as 'disregarded persons', i.e. severely mentally impaired, 
• Your home has been adapted for a disabled person,
• Your property is empty because you are a long term hospital patient.

It replaces the Cold Weather Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and has the same eligibility requirements. 

Unlike the Cold Weather Payment, Winter Heating Payment does not depend on how cold the temperature gets.

Child Winter Heating Payment used to be called Child Winter Heating Assistance.

Child Winter Heating Payment is a benefit from the Scottish Government.

Children and young people in Scotland can get the assistance if they're under 19 years old and get one of the following 'qualifying benefits':

• the highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment
• the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance for children
• the enhanced daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
• the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment 

They must be getting this on at least one day in the third full week of September.

• you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ‘core group’, or
• you’re on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the ‘broader group’.