The SNP Government’s has started work on Scottish Carer’s Assistance delivery and is looking for your views to help shape it.
The new benefit will replace Carer’s Allowance when it is devolved to be administered by Social Security Scotland and – as with every other devolved benefit - the SNP Government is keen to make both the scope and process as fair and helpful as possible.
This consultation asks for your views on proposals for how Scottish Carer’s Assistance could be different from Carer’s Allowance. It is split into three main sections:
1. Scottish Carer’s Assistance when it first launches.
This section sets out proposals for how this new benefit will work when it first opens for new applications, including who will be eligible for support, benefit rules, and how we could link carers to wider services and support.
2. Extra money for carers in Scotland.
This has questions on how Carer’s Allowance Supplement (an extra amount paid to carers in Scotland who get Carer’s Allowance) should be paid in future. It also asks about proposed new support for people getting Scottish Carer’s Assistance and looking after more than one person who is getting a disability benefit.
This extra support is being called ‘Carer’s Additional Person Payment’ for now.
3. Changes to Scottish Carer’s Assistance.
After the launch, we can begin transferring benefits so people in Scotland who are getting Carer’s Allowance can get Scottish Carer’s Assistance instead. This process is known as ‘case transfer’.
The third section sets out changes proposed to the benefit once this process is complete. The proposals are based on work with carers and support organisations to look at how Carer’s Allowance could support more carers.
Kenneth Gibson MSP said:
“The SNP recognises that improving the lives of carers is an incredibly important one, which is why it introduced Carer’s Allowance Supplement – something the Tories in England and Labour in Wales haven’t followed Scotland in.
“Carers make an immense contribution to the health and wellbeing of loved ones and it is essential that they have the support they need to provide care and have a fulfilling life.
“We have also seen so far that every benefit works better for people when devolved to Scotland as they have become more inclusive. In addition, Social Security Scotland is more effective, dignified and accessible than the Tory Government’s Department of Work and Pensions.
"Please make your views known by 23 May via the consultation link."
Alongside Scottish Carer’s Assistance, Social Security Scotland is busy to launch Adult Disability Payment in August this year, extend Scottish Child Payment for 6 to 16 year olds by the end of this year, and pay out the first low income winter heating benefit in winter 2022/23.
ENDS
