Take-up Rates of Scottish Benefits: October 2025 - easy read

What is take-up?

You must apply for a benefit to get it.

Some people do not apply for the benefits they could get. This could be because:

• They do not know about the benefit

• They find applying for the benefit too difficult or stressful

• They feel bad about receiving benefits

The Scottish Government wants everyone to get the benefits they can.

You are eligible for a benefit if you meet certain rules. These rules describe who should get the benefit. For example, a rule could be that you must care for someone.

By law, the Scottish Government must work hard to make sure everyone gets the benefits they are eligible for.

A take-up rate shows if people are getting the benefits they are eligible for. A take-up rate compares:

• How many people get the benefits they are eligible for

• How many people do not get the benefits they are eligible for

A high take-up rate means lots of people get the benefits they are eligible for.

A low take-up rate means not many people get the benefits they are eligible for.

The Scottish Government has worked out the take-up rate for eight benefits.

Scottish Child Payment

• A regular payment for families who don’t have much money but have children.

• In 2025, around 9 in 10 people eligible for the benefit got it.

Pregnancy and Baby Payment

• A one-off payment for families who don’t have much money but have a baby.

• In 2024, around 9 in 10 people eligible for the benefit got it.

Early Learning Payment

• A one-off payment for families who don’t have much money but have a child around nursery age.

• In 2023, around 9 in 10 people eligible for the benefit got it.

School Age Payment

• A one-off payment for families who don’t have much money but have a child around five years old.

• In 2025, around 9 in 10 people eligible for the benefit got it.

Best Start Foods

• A regular payment for families who don’t have much money but have young children. Helps with food costs.

• In 2025, around 8 in 10 people eligible for the benefit got it.

Funeral Support Payment

• A one-off payment to help people who don’t have much money to pay for a funeral.

• In 2025, around 6 in 10 people eligible for the benefit got it.

Young Carer Grant

• A one-off payment for young adults who care for someone.

• In 2025, around 8 in 10 people eligible for the benefit got it.

Job Start Payment

• A one-off payment for young adults starting a new job.

• In 2025, around 2 in 10 people eligible for the benefit got it.

Example: Funeral Support Payment

In 2025, around 6 in 10 people eligible for Funeral Support Payment got it. This means that:

• For these 10 people eligible for Funeral Support Payment

• 6 people got the benefit

• 4 people did not get the benefit