Welfare and finances after Brexit (benefits, pensions and money)
The UK will leave the European Union on 31 January 2020. We'll then enter a 'transition period' that's likely to last until the end of December 2020. During this period the UK will still follow EU rules.
Brexit will have an effect on some areas of life in Scotland.
This may include changes to benefits and pensions.
Brexit has not happened yet, and many of the details are not yet known. This page gives the latest facts, but it will be updated as more details are confirmed. Please keep checking back for new information.
UK citizens living in Scotland
If you are a UK citizen currently living in Scotland, you should still have access to your benefits and pension as normal.
EU citizens living in Scotland
If you are an EU citizen currently living in Scotland, you should still have access to your benefits and pension as normal.
If you are an EU citizen currently living in the UK and you get benefits or a pension from a non-UK authority, you should contact that country's relevant benefits and pension department for more information.
You will still need to apply for settled status before 30 June 2021 to keep living in Scotland, though. The EU citizens living in Scotland page gives the latest information on this, including details on how to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme.
UK citizens living in an EU country
If you're a UK citizen but you're currently living in an EU country, your access to your benefits and pension may depend on whether we are in a 'deal' or 'no deal' situation when the transition period ends.
In the event of a 'deal' situation, you should still have access to your benefits and pension as normal.
In the event of a 'no deal' situation, your access to benefits and pension may depend on the country you're living in.
If you are a UK citizen currently living in an EU country and you get benefits or a pension from a non-UK authority, you should contact that country's relevant benefits and pension department for more information.
If you are a UK citizen living in an EU country and receiving benefits or a pension from a UK authority, you should still have access to your benefits and pension as normal.
GOV.UK has guidance for UK citizens living in EU countries.
Help with money
If you're struggling to make your money last there are a number of services you can use to get help.
Find out how to get help with money, including dealing with debt and dealing with the stress that comes with it.
Rapid Poverty Mitigation Fund
If there's a 'no deal' Brexit, the Scottish Government will give £7 million to local councils in Scotland. This is called the Rapid Poverty Migration Fund.
The Rapid Poverty Migration Fund can be used to support:
- communities in need
- people experiencing food insecurity or fuel poverty
- Scottish Welfare Fund
- Discretionary Housing Payments
The Scottish Welfare Fund
The Scottish Welfare Fund helps families and people in Scotland who are on low incomes through Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants.
You can apply for a:
- Crisis Grant – if you're in crisis because of a disaster (like a fire or flood), or an emergency (like losing your money or an unexpected expense)
- Community Care Grant – to help you or someone you care for to start to live, or to carry on living, a settled life in the community
Find out more about the Scottish Welfare Fund.
More information
More details on benefits and pensions after Brexit will be added to this page as new information is available.
Meanwhile, there are a number of other sites you can check for updates:
The content on this site is correct as of today's date and is based on the information available at this time. Regular updates will be made as the Brexit process develops. In the event of a 'no deal', additional advice and information will be given on this site. Please continue to check back for updates.
