Dumfries and Galloway residents receive nearly £50million in Scottish Government benefits

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Dumfries and Galloway residents received nearly £50million in Scottish Government benefits last year.

New figures from Social Security Scotland show that £1.9billion worth of support was paid across Scotland in 2023/24 through 14 benefits – half of which are only available in Scotland.

And of that sum, £49.5million was paid in Dumfries and Galloway.

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Social Security Scotland’s annual report and accounts also show 400,000 people across Scotland had received the Winter Heating Payment by February, with the Scottish Child Payment supporting more than 329,000 children and young people.

Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Sommerville, said: “We are committed to tackling poverty and supporting people throughout Scotland. At a time when families are struggling with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis we have been delivering 14 benefits, seven of which are only available in Scotland.

“Winter Heating Payment is a reliable annual payment to people on low incomes in Scotland, including pensioners receiving Pension Credit. We continue to offer vital support to families through our five family payments, including Scottish Child Payment, which was helping support more than 329,000 children and young people by the end of 2023-24.

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“We are focused on ensuring people get the money they are entitled to and that we deliver these payments while treating people with dignity, fairness and respect.”

Other benefits include the Child Disability Payment, Young Carer Grant, Funeral Support Payment and Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

Social Security Scotland chief executive, David Wallace, said: “While our service has continued to expand significantly, our clients remain at the heart of everything we do.

“We have focused on delivering new payments to people across Scotland including Carer Support Payment, while ensuring we give our clients an improved experience. This year, we have reduced call waiting and processing times and made it easier for people to submit supporting information for disability benefit applications.”