More than £40.1 million was given to West Dunbartonshire residents in benefits last year.

The Scottish Government provided the support across 14 benefits between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.

This is part of the £1.9 billion in direct payments throughout Scotland.

These were outlined in an analysis published alongside Social Security Scotland’s Annual Report and Accounts. 

The 14 payments, seven of which are not available anywhere else in the UK, provide essential support while people deal with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Other achievements outlined in the report include the Winter Heating Payment, which was paid to 400,000 people by February this year, and the Carer Support Payment, which replaces Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.

The Scottish Child Payment was supporting more than 329,000 children and young people at the end of March 2024.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, 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.   

"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."

The results of the organisation’s annual client survey have also been published, showing that 90 per cent of people who responded and received a benefit payment from Social Security Scotland say their overall experience was ‘very good’ or ‘good’.

A further 89 per cent said they were treated with kindness.

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

“As the number of people we serve grows, I am delighted we have maintained high client satisfaction rates with our annual Client Survey showing 90% of people who received a payment from us saying their overall experience was ‘very good’ or ‘good’.”