Your benefits

The benefits system has undergone a major change recently. We can help you to understand what benefits you are entitled to, including Universal Credit, benefits when you are having a baby, disability benefits, and more.

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Universal Credit

This information is for single parents about to claim Universal Credit, already getting it or who want to know more about it. It explains what Universal Credit is, how to claim, how it is calculated and how it is paid.

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Benefits have changed

The benefits system has undergone a major change recently. Some benefits are being replaced while others might have different rules for claiming them.

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Disability, sickness and care benefits

If you, or your child, have a disability or illness or you care for someone with a disability or illness you may be able to get benefits to help with day to day living costs and to pay for support and services.

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Calculating benefits

You can get help calculating what benefits you are entitled to.

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Benefits from the Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has introduced new Scottish Social Security benefits and replaced, or amended, other UK benefits.

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Child Benefit

You can get Child Benefit if you are responsible for a child or qualifying young person.

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Benefits based on your National Insurance contributions

If you have made the necessary National Insurance contributions you may get new style Jobseeker’s Allowance or new style Employment and Support Allowance if you stop working.

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Bereavement Support Payment

If your husband, wife or civil partner has died in the last 21 months you may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment.

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Financial help if you are in a crisis

There may be extra help, in addition to benefits, if you are on a limited income or have unexpected expenses. What you can get depends on your family circumstances including your income, any savings and what you need help with.

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Mandatory reconsideration and appeals

If you disagree with a decision about benefits, tax credits or child maintenance you can request mandatory reconsideration or appeals. This is when you ask for the decision to be looked at again.

News updates for single parents

View all news

Our news updates reflect the work of One Parent Families Scotland and the issues affecting single parents today.

Free school meals available for some P6 and P7s in Scotland

17/04/2025

Single Parent FAQs: Having Fun on a Budget – Issue 38

08/04/2025

Answers to the most recently frequently asked questions on childcare.

Single Parent FAQs: Childcare – Issue 37

27/03/2025

Answers to the most recently frequently asked questions on childcare.

Privacy Overview

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Covering your tracks

You may not want other people to know that you’ve been searching for information or help from OPFS.

When browsing the internet whether on a mobile phone, tablet or computer, you leave a ‘history’ trail of pages and sites you’ve visited.

It’s impossible to completely avoid being tracked online but if you’re worried about someone knowing which sites you’ve been looking at, there are some things you can do to help cover your tracks.

If you’re using a laptop or desktop computer, try keeping another document or website open in a new tab or window while browsing. If someone comes in the room and you don’t want them to see what you’re looking at, you can quickly switch to another window or tab.

Deleting browsing history

You can delete the history of websites you’ve visited, but it’s important to know that if you delete your browsing history, someone else using the same device may notice.

If you share a tablet, mobile phone, laptop or computer with someone, they might notice that passwords or website addresses have disappeared from their history.

Find out how to remove your browsing history and other data from some of the most commonly used browsers:

Browsing in Private mode (incognito)

When browsing ‘incognito’, the internet browser won’t store cookies or record your browsing history on the computer, mobile or tablet.

This option is available on popular web browsers i.e. -

Toolbars

If you use a search toolbar in your web browser, remember that your searched items can be saved as part of your history. Find out how to delete your searched items from the following search engines: