Social Security Assistance in Scotland: up-rating for inflation in 2026 - 2027
A report on the impact of inflation on devolved social security assistance as required under section 86A of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.
6. Up-rating Policy for 2026-27
6.1 During the Scottish Budget on 13 January 2026, it was announced that the Scottish Government will increase all forms of assistance delivered under the 2018 Act by 3.8% in alignment with the 12 months to September 2025 rate of CPI. Best Start Foods and Job Start Payment, where up-rating remains at the discretion of Ministers, will also be up-rated by 3.8%.
6.2 The earnings limit for Carer Support Payment will also be increased to £204 per week in line with 16 hours work at the rate of the National Living Wage.
6.3 Legislation will be brought forward to up-rate these forms of assistance by April 2026.
6.4 The new rates of assistance are presented in Table 5 and 6.
| Benefit | 2026-27 rates |
|---|---|
| Adult Disability Payment | |
| - Daily Living Component Enhanced Rate | £114.60 |
| - Daily Living Component Standard Rate | £76.70 |
| - Mobility Component Enhanced Rate | £80.00 |
| - Mobility Component Standard Rate | £30.30 |
| - Transitional rate | £30.30 |
| Best Start Foods – (higher rate) | £11.20 |
| Best Start Foods – (lower rate) | £5.60 |
| Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment (1st Child Payment or subsequent child if relevant exemption applies) | £796.65 |
| Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment (Subsequent Child Payment & Multiple Pregnancy Supplement) | £398.35 |
| Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment | £331.95 |
| Best Start Grant School Age Payment | £331.95 |
| Carer’s Allowance Supplement (bi-annual payment) | £304.65 |
| Carer Support | |
| - Carer Support Payment component | £86.45 |
| - Carer Additional Person Payment component | £10.40 |
| - Scottish Carer Supplement component | £11.70 |
| Child Disability Payment | |
| - Care Component Highest Rate | £114.60 |
| - Care Component Middle Rate | £76.70 |
| - Care Component Lowest Rate | £30.30 |
| - Mobility Component Higher Rate | £80.00 |
| - Mobility Component Lower Rate | £30.30 |
| Child Winter Heating Payment | £265.50 |
Note: rounding to the nearest 5p is applied.
| Benefit | 2026-27 rates |
|---|---|
| Funeral Support Payment (higher rate) | £1,327.75 |
| Funeral Support Payment (lower rate) | £162.05 |
| Funeral Support Payment (medical device removal) | £26.80 |
| Job Start Payment – (standard rate) | £331.95 |
| Job Start Payment – (higher rate) | £531.10 |
| Pension Age Disability Payment (higher rate) | £114.60 |
| Pension Age Disability Payment (lower rate) | £76.70 |
| Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (high rate) | £316.70 |
| Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (medium rate) | £211.15 |
| Pension Age Winter Heating Rate (80+ couple rate) | £158.35 |
| Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (low) | £105.55 |
| Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance | |
| - Care Component Highest Rate | £114.60 |
| - Care Component Middle Rate | £76.70 |
| - Care Component Lowest Rate | £30.30 |
| - Mobility Component Higher Rate | £80.00 |
| - Mobility Component Lower Rate | £30.30 |
| Scottish Child Payment | £28.20 |
| Young Carer Grant | £405.10 |
| Winter Heating Payment | £62.00 |
Note: rounding to the nearest 5p is applied.
6.5 Scottish Ministers will also bring forward legislation to up-rate the forms of assistance within devolved competence under UK legislation and delivered by the DWP via agency arrangements by April 2026. A summary of all of the devolved Social Security assistance rates to be delivered in Scotland in 2026-2027 is available in Annex A.
6.6 The UK Government also up-rates reserved social security benefit and pension rates each year. The proposed UK rates can be found at Benefit and Pension rates 2026-2027.
Contact
Email: ceu@gov.scot