Tag: benefits

Person-centred reform to disability payments “will reduce anxiety and stress”

A sea change in social security policy to reduce the anxiety and stress associated with the current UK Government disability payments process has been given strong public support.

A consultation found that Scottish Government proposals for a person-centred approach was favoured over the current ‘one-size-fits-all’ system of the UK Government.

The new Scottish social security system has fairness, dignity and respect designed in from the start. Measures will include:

  • face-to-face pre-application support delivered across the country
  • a multi-channel approach for submitting applications, including telephone, paper-based and face-to-face
  • clear eligibility criteria
  • simplified application form
  • enhanced role for carers in provision of evidence
  • greater choice and control over the timing and locations of assessment, with home-based assessments provided where required
  • profit making companies will not be involved in carrying out assessments for disability payments

This contrasts with the UK Government system which users have criticised for having complicated and inaccessible application routes, unnecessary face-to-face assessments and inaccurate reports.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I have heard from far too many ill and disabled people who currently know only of stigma, stress and anxiety when it comes to accessing welfare support and fear the ‘dreaded brown envelope’ from the Department for Work and Pensions. 

“That is why I want a sea change in accessing disability payments. A new system designed from the ground up – together with users themselves – that puts people first.

“We are supporting people to access the financial support they are entitled to and actively seeking to move away from the stigma of benefits to recognise they are an investment in our people.

“That means a process that is clear and accessible from start to finish and ensures people understand how and when their application will be dealt with.

“It is part of our promise to the people of Scotland that our social security system is a public service and will treat everybody with fairness, dignity and respect.”

Disability Assistance in Scotland

Disability Assistance Consultation responses

 

 

New benefit for young carers launches next week

Teenage carers in Scotland will be the first in the UK to be given financial support thanks to a new Scottish Government grant. A new benefit will open for applications on Monday, with the Scottish Government investing £600,000 to support almost 2,000 young carers in 2019/20.

The Young Carer Grant will be available for 16, 17 and 18 year olds who spend an average of 16 hours caring for someone who receives a disability benefit. Continue reading New benefit for young carers launches next week

Making Connections course: tomorrow it’s Welfare

Hi folks,
See below for details of the Making Connections course running at the Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
This Tuesday we are looking at welfare;: where it is going and how we can tackle poverty by legislation.
Come along – all welcome!
Willie Black

Young workers to benefit from Job Start Payment

A new benefit to support young people starting a new job after a period of  unemployment will be introduced next Spring. The Job Start Payment is a new payment to help young people with the cost of starting a new job. Continue reading Young workers to benefit from Job Start Payment

Community Renewal praises Scottish Government’s measures to tackle funeral poverty

From tomorrow, the new Funeral Expense Assistance payment will become available to people who claim certain benefits in Scotland. It is a move by the Scottish Government towards eradicating funeral poverty which has pushed 1 in 7 families into debts of up to £1990.  Continue reading Community Renewal praises Scottish Government’s measures to tackle funeral poverty

Impact of UK welfare cuts revealed

Thousands of families are being pushed into poverty – with UK Government welfare changes set to reduce spending on social security in Scotland by £500 million a year, Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said.

The 2019 Annual Report on Welfare Reform shows the largest welfare cuts since 2015 are as a result of the benefit freeze, two-child cap, and changes to the work allowance. Continue reading Impact of UK welfare cuts revealed

Holyrood Committee to investigate why millions of pounds of benefits remain unclaimed

An inquiry has been launched by Holyrood’s Social Security Committee as estimates suggest a huge number of benefits remain unclaimed by those eligible for them. The inquiry aims to explore the extent of the issue and what can be done to tackle it.

Statistics from HMRC and DWP estimated that in 2016/17 only 31% of families without children eligible for Working Tax Credit claimed, while only 60% of those eligible for Pension Credit claimed.

However, the full extent of benefit non-take-up in the UK is unknown because of difficulties in estimating eligibility.

The Committee is now looking for information on issues related to benefit uptake including why estimates of take-up are available for some benefits but not for others, and the impact of awareness raising campaigns in improving benefit uptake.

The Committee is also investigating how technology could help automate some benefits to improve take-up and how take-up rates for the new Scottish social security benefits will be impacted by their link to the take-up rates for UK benefits.

 Bob Doris MSP, Convener of the Social Security Committee, (above) , said: “There can be any number of reasons for low benefit uptake rates, but it is absolutely essential that we learn the scale of this challenge and take every possible action to improve uptake.

“There is no doubt the stigma of claiming benefits hinders uptake while too often people are simply not aware of the benefits they are entitled to. Administration processes are also often too complex, and our inquiry is determined to identify any barriers to benefit uptake and how we can remove these.

“The Committee will consider the Scottish Government strategy on benefit uptake which will be published in October, but what is clear is that everything possible must be done to ensure those in need receive the full benefits they are entitled to.”

Other issues the Committee is keen to explore include if different approaches are required for different benefits, and the impact of various eligibility criteria upon take-up rates.

The call for views is open until Monday 21 October.

You can let the Committee know your views here: 

http://www.parliament.scot/benefit-take-up

Change of heart? Parents and guardians given extra time to claim back childcare costs with Universal Credit

Have the Tories got a heart after all? An extra month to claim back childcare costs could mean parents avoid missing out on up to £1,100 per month … Continue reading Change of heart? Parents and guardians given extra time to claim back childcare costs with Universal Credit