A reminder is being issued to check eligibility for financial support that could make a 'genuine difference' to daily life.
MSP Keith Brown has urged residents across Clackmannanshire to check if they are able to receive social security payments following new figures showing that more than 960,000 people received financial support from Social Security Scotland in the last financial year.
The payments are designed to support families on low incomes, disabled people, pensioners, unpaid carers and young people seeking work.
Mr Brown said: "The weeks after Christmas can be particularly difficult for many families and individuals.
"At a time when household budgets are under real pressure, social security support can make a genuine difference.
"I would urge anyone in Clackmannanshire who thinks they might be eligible — or isn’t sure — to take a few minutes to check.
"Too often people miss out simply because they assume they won’t qualify.
"If you or someone you care for could benefit from extra support, please do check.
"Help is there, and it’s important that people in our community get every penny they’re entitled to."
One key scheme available is the Scottish Child Payment, which provides £27.15 per week for every eligible child under 16 to families in receipt of Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits.
It is only available in Scotland and there is no cap on the number of children per family.
Additional support is also available for disabled people and those with long-term or terminal health conditions.
This includes child disability payment, adult disability payment and pension age disability payment.
The latter can provide up to £110.40 per week for people aged 66 and over who need help with daily living or supervision to stay safe.
Unpaid carers in Scotland are eligible for the most generous support of its kind in the UK.
The Carer Support Payment, now valued at £83.30 per week, has replaced Carer’s Allowance and extends eligibility to more carers in full-time education.
Further changes, including additional support for those caring for more than one person, are set to come into effect in March 2026.
Young people aged 16 to 24 who have been out of work for at least six months and are receiving a low-income benefit may also qualify for the Job Start Payment.
This is a one-off payment of £319.80 to help cover the costs of starting employment.
Residents can use free, confidential online benefits calculators to find out what support they may be entitled to and how to apply.
These tools are available on mygov.scot and www.benefits.advice.scot.
Share