Half a million Scots missing out on benefits

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman met local councils yesterday to discuss the practical steps needed to encourage more people to claim the financial support they are entitled to. It is estimated that in 2014/15, for tax credits and the main income-related benefits, there could be over 500,000 cases of individuals or families in Scotland not claiming benefits they were entitled to.

The round-table in Edinburgh was also attended by Alex Rowley MSP and Cllr Kelly Parry, Community Wellbeing Spokesperson for local authority umbrella group COSLA.

Ms Freeman said: “Social Security is a human right. That is the foundation for the social security system we are building for Scotland and making sure that everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to is one of the first steps towards putting dignity and respect at the heart of social security in Scotland.

“In Scotland today there are still many people on low incomes who are not claiming the benefits that are theirs by right. That might be because they don’t know what they are entitled to, or it could be the system is too complex. Whatever the reasons, we need to understand them and work out how they can be overcome.

“That will take both Scottish and local government working together. Local authorities have important experience in understanding what works at a local level. So it makes complete sense to work together on a coordinated approach that nationally and locally, actively encourages benefits take up. I am grateful to Alex Rowley MSP for his work and his support in, highlighting the critical issue of making sure people receive the support to which they are entitled.”

Councillor Kelly Parry COSLA spokesperson for Communities added: “Ensuring everyone in Scotland claims the support they are entitled to is something councils and our local partners have been involved in for many years.

“Councils expertise and local knowledge has played a huge part in efforts to maximise incomes for Communities across the country. Collaborative working, and sustained joint effort, will make a real difference to people all across Scotland.”

Through the Scotland Act 2016, the following benefits will be devolved to Scotland:

Group	Benefit	Main Purpose
For carers, disabled people  and those who are ill.	Attendance Allowance	To help with personal care for individuals aged 65 or over with a physical or mental disability.
	Carer’s Allowance	To help an individual look after someone with substantial caring needs. To be eligible the individual must be 16 or over and spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone.
	Personal Independence Payment (PIP)	Helps with some of the extra costs caused by long-term ill-health or disability for individuals aged 16 to 64.  This is a replacement for DLA for working age individuals.
	Disability Living Allowance (DLA)	Help if your disability or health condition means either: You need help looking after yourself You have walking difficulties DLA is closed to new working age claimants and being replaced by PIP.
	Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit	For individuals who are ill or disabled as a direct result of an accident or disease caused by work or while attending an approved employment training scheme or course.
	Severe Disablement Allowance	Was for working-age individuals who are unable to work due to illness or disability. SDA is closed to new entrants.
Currently part of the Regulated Social Fund	Cold Weather Payment	A payment for individuals on certain benefits when the temperature is either recorded as, or forecasted to be, an average of zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days.
	Funeral Expenses	For individuals on low income and needing help to pay for a funeral they are arranging.
	Sure Start Maternity Grant	Introducing a new Best Start Grant which will see support for qualifying families increase from the £500 payable only for the first child under the existing UK Government Sure Start Maternity Grant to £1,100 for the first child and £800 for second and subsequent children over  three payments during a child’s early years.
	Winter Fuel Payment	A tax-free payment to help pay for heating bills if you were born on or before July, 5 1952 (Current State Pension Age for women).
Other	Discretionary Housing Payments	Additional help for those in receipt of Housing Benefit and having difficulty meeting their rent payments. Paid at the discretion of the Local Authority.
	Job Grant	A new Job Grant which will be a payment of £100 or £250 for people with children plus a three months bus pass for  16-24 year olds who have been claiming benefit for six months or more and are starting work.

The following benefits will remain reserved to UK Government:

• Universal Credit
• Contributory Job Seekers Allowance
• Contributory Employment Support Allowance
• Child Benefit
• Maternity Allowance
• State Pension
• Pension Credit