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Nearly 100,000 Scots have been helped by a new benefits service set up a year ago.

The Scottish Social Security Service celebrates its first anniversary today and has so far paid out £190million.

It was launched as part of a major transfer of powers from Westminster – prompted by the Daily Record “The Vow” promise from political leaders after the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

It comes in stark contrast to hard-line Westminster policies, which have seen thousands of Scots face benefit sanctions.

It means Scotland was given control over 11 benefits, including Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and Carers Allowance.

Social security minister Shirley-Anne Somerville told the Record: “Over the 12 months people have begun to see what a social security service based on dignity, fairness and respect looks like.

“When we asked people what they thought of the UK welfare system, they said it was stressful, complicated and often inhumane. The powers we have are only about 16 per cent of total social security spending but we will use these to do things better.

“The changes we are making are about meeting the needs of people and I have seen for myself the difference this makes.

“I recently met a mum who cares for her children with autism.

“She’s using her Carer’s Allowance Supplement to pay for days out for her children she would otherwise have been unable to afford.

“In Fife, I met a mum who used her Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment to buy sensory equipment for her two-year-old daughter who has learning difficulties.”

She said several new benefits are being planned including a Scottish Child Payment, which is designed to tackle child poverty.

The minister added: “We are testing everything that we do with the people who will use or interact with our service to make sure we get it right.

“This Government has a clear vision of the kind of country we want to be.

“We are determined to make further progress on tackling inequality and reducing poverty.

Delivering our new social security system is a key part of a system that sees social security as a human right and treats people with dignity, fairness and respect.”

(Image: Daily Record)

Emma-Jayne's story - how she used cash to pay electricity bill

Emma-Jayne Cunningham applied for the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment when she saw a post on Facebook.

The 31-year-old family support worker from Tarbert in Argyll said: “The payment has made a big difference to my life. I used the money to pay for a baby carrier to help me on the school run and to pay for my electricity.

“My son Caleb should qualify for the School Age Payment. This will be good. It will help me buy his school uniform, school bags, jackets, shoes and water bottle.”

(Image: Daily Record)

Angela's story - how money helped her cope with hell of stillborn child

Angela McCallum heard about the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment on Facebook after her husband had just been made redundant.

The 33-year-old from Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, said: “I was pregnant and my husband had just lost his job. I’m disabled and unable to work. When I saw the Payment advertised on Facebook, I decided to apply because I needed money to pay for a cot and all of the things you need for a newborn baby.”

Tragicallt, Angela received the heart-breaking news that her son was stillborn after 35 weeks of pregnancy. She described being grateful to find out that she was still entitled to the Best Start Payment.

She said: “It was very unexpected. I had just had a scan and all was well. Two days letter, my baby had no heartbeat. I called Social Security Scotland to let them know what had happened and to find out if I was still eligible for the money.

“The Adviser told me that I was still eligible. I appreciated being able to put the money towards laying my son to rest.

“I would encourage anyone struggling to get in touch with Social Security Scotland and find out if you are entitled to the Best Start Payment.”

(Image: Daily Record)

Shona's story - how she was able to give up work to care for autistic son

Shona Moyes had to make the life changing decision to eight years ago to give up her successful career to care for her now 18-year-old son Gregor who has autism.

The 56-year-old from Edinburgh said: “I was a Senior Manager, in charge of a team of Project Managers, working in the Drug Development industry.

“It was a really good job, I loved it. I got to travel a lot and it was very rewarding.

“My son’s autism behaviours began to impact day-to-day life and my husband was diagnosed with cancer. The impact this was having on me both physically and emotionally was too much. We made the decision that I would give up work.

“At first, I resented that I had to do this. I became very isolated. I lost contact with work colleagues as we didn’t have anything in common anymore. I lost contact with friends as whenever they asked me out I couldn’t go, so eventually, they stopped asking. Life now solely revolves around my caring role.

“One of the biggest impacts has been on our income. My husband is now retired. So we now survive on his small pension and carer’s allowance.

“The supplement has made a massive impact financially. The fact that we have a lump sum of money that we can do things with is very helpful.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction in recognising the contribution that carers make to society and the work that we do is being valued.”