Take-up rates of Scottish benefits - 2026
This publication contains our latest estimates of take-up of Scottish benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland.
Take-Up Rate Estimates
The most recent estimates of take-up for each benefit are outlined below, with time series estimates for previous years in Table 1 and Table 2, showing how estimated take-up rates have changed over time.
Due to wide eligibility windows for some benefits and the need to ensure only people who have had their full eligibility window to apply are counted, there are some take-up rate estimates which are for years or cohorts prior to 2025-26 (e.g. Best Start Grant Pregnancy & Baby Payment and Early Learning Payment). However, for every benefit, this publication provides a new additional annual estimate to the year before.
| Year | Scottish Child Payment | BSG: Pregnancy and Baby Payment | BSG: Early Learning Payment | BSG: School Age Payment | Best Start Foods |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | N/A | 83% | 85% | 73% | N/A |
| 2020-21 | N/A | 84% | 80% | 91% | 71% |
| 2021-22 | N/A | 83% | 87% | 77% | 92% |
| 2022-23 | N/A | 87% | 87% | 97% | 92% |
| 2023-24 | 89% | 91% | 97% | 97% | 84% |
| 2024-25 | 94% | 95% | N/A | 97% | 81% |
| 2025-26 | 96% | N/A | N/A | 96% | 85% |
| Year | Young Carer Grant | Job Start Payment | Funeral Support Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2020-21 | 68% | 30% | 49% |
| 2021-22 | 73% | 29% | 66% |
| 2022-23 | 75% | 15% | 61% |
| 2023-24 | 87% | 21% | 67% |
| 2024-25 | 80% | 19% | 61% |
| 2025-26 | 77% | 16% | 60% |
Methodology
A detailed overview of the methodology used to estimate take-up rates is provided at the end of this publication.
Contact
Email: ceu@gov.scot