Deductions in housing benefit from people deemed to have extra bedrooms will be discussed by the First Minister and the Prime Minister this week.
Alex Salmond will raise objections to the UK welfare reform with David Cameron at a meeting of the heads of the UK administrations on Wednesday.
The under-occupancy charge, described as a bedroom tax by opponents, will cost the average tenant £54 a month extra if they do not fill the room or move to a smaller property.
Those affected can apply for discretionary housing payments to help with their rent in some circumstances, including those in disabled-adapted homes or in an area with a shortage of shared accommodation.
The Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC), which comprises the UK Government, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive, meets once a year.
Scottish Youth Employment Minister Angela Constance will accompany the First Minister to this week’s session.
A Scottish Government source close to the First Minister said: “It is a punitive measure, affecting some of the most vulnerable in our society, and it must be scrapped, something the First Minister will make clear to the Prime Minister when they meet this week.”
A UK Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “It’s simply not affordable to pay housing benefit for people to have spare rooms and our reforms in the social sector mean families receive help for the number of bedrooms they need, exactly the same rules as in the private sector.”