Work to transfer the awards of people in Scotland from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment has begun.
Carer’s Allowance, paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is being replaced by Carer Support Payment paid by Social Security Scotland.
The transfer from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment will happen gradually with all awards expected to be transferred by Spring 2025.
People do not need to do anything as their award will transfer automatically. The amount they receive will not change.
Both the DWP and Social Security Scotland will write to people in advance to let them know that their award will be transferring.
Carers should continue to report any changes in their circumstances to the DWP until they receive a letter from Social Security Scotland telling them their award has transferred.
Carer Support Payment provides £76.75 a week to eligible carers. The benefit is available to new applicants in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles.
Carers who live outside of those areas can apply for Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Carer Support Payment will be available in more areas from later in 2024 and across Scotland by Autumn 2024.
More information is available at mygov.scot/carer-support-payment.
Fourth rise in uptake since support was increased to under-16s
Scottish Child Payment was helping the families of more than 327,000 children at the end of December last year, official statistics have shown.
The £25-a-week payment helps families as part of a wider package of Scottish Government actions to tackle child poverty and support people during the cost of living crisis.
The figures published yesterday show more than 4,000 extra children were being supported since the previous quarter – the fourth consecutive rise.
Scottish Child Payment launched in February 2021 and it has since risen in value twice – firstly from £10 per week to £20 per week then, in November 2022, to £25 per week.
At the time of the second rise, it extended from being a payment for the families of children under the age of six to all those eligible under 16.
It is the families of that older group of children who have driven the latest increase in uptake.
The total overall amount paid out since the payment was launched reach passed £573.2 million.
Official statistics on Social Security’s other family payments – Best Start Foods and the three Best Start Grants (Pregnancy & Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment) are also published today.
Since first launching in December 2018 until December 2023 471,670 applications for the payments have been processed and a total of £145.4 million paid out.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Despite cuts to Scotland’s budget, the Scottish Government is prioritising support for families.
“Our investment in the game-changing Scottish Child Payment and other benefits is unparalleled in the UK.
“It delivers a lifeline from the Westminster austerity agenda and continued cruel policies, such as the two-child cap.
“These statistics show that we are reaching more of the people who most need our support as we continue to make tackling child poverty our key mission.
“It is encouraging to see that we are also continuing to do that more quickly, making progress in the time it takes from receiving applications to getting money into people’s pockets.”
£280 million paid since launch of Carer’s Allowance Supplement
A benefit only available in Scotland has delivered over one million payments to unpaid carers, new figures show.
Almost £280 million has been paid to over 150,000 carers since Carer’s Allowance Supplement was introduced in September 2018.
The benefit, one of seven available only in Scotland, was created to recognise the vital role of unpaid carers.
Eligible carers get payments twice a year, normally in June and December. In the 2023-2024 financial year each payment was £270.50.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement is paid automatically to people who are getting Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment on a on a particular date.
Carer Support Payment, paid by Social Security Scotland, was introduced in three local authority areas in November last year.
It is replacing Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions in Scotland and will be rolled out across the country in Autumn 2024.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:“Unpaid carers make a significant contribution to society, often at the expense of their own health and wellbeing. The Scottish Government introduced Carer’s Allowance Supplement to recognise this contribution.
“I am pleased we have now made our one millionth payment and have given carers in Scotland almost £280 million of additional support.
“Carer’s Allowance Supplement is part of our wider package of support including Carer Support Payment and Young Carer Grant – another Scotland-only benefit.
“The Scottish Government recognise the pressure the cost of living crisis has placed on household budgets which is why we are continuing to allocate around £3bn a year to policies that tackle poverty and protect people as far as possible.
“This puts more money into the pockets of families who need it, which in turn is good for the economy.”
To find out about eligibility for Carer’s Allowance Supplement visit mygov.scot/carers-allowance-supplement or call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
Eligible people urged to apply for Funeral Support Payment
The cost of paying for a funeral can cause extra strain for many people at what is a difficult time.
Funeral Support Payment provides eligible people with financial support to help pay for a partner, child, parent or sibling’s funeral.
The payment is available to people who receive Universal Credit, tax credits and certain benefits and are responsible for paying for a funeral.
It can be paid either to parents and families, or the funeral director who is helping to plan the funeral.
People can apply any time after the person has died until six months after the date of the funeral, and are being urged to check if they are eligible and get the help they are entitled to.
The average payment in the 2023/24 financial year to date was £1,949, and the money can be used towards burial or cremation costs and other expenses such as funeral director’s fees, a coffin or flowers.
Since launching Funeral Support Payment in September 2019, Social Security Scotland has received over 34,000 applications, providing £41.7 million of support for people and families.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “When families are struggling to deal with a bereavement, the last thing they need, particularly during this cost of living crisis, is to face the added worry of paying for the costs of a funeral. We also want to do all we can to prevent those who are dealing with grief getting into debt.
“Making sure that everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to is a basic step in putting dignity and respect at the heart of social security in Scotland.
“I would encourage anyone who thinks they might qualify for Funeral Support Payment to find out more and apply, and to remember that people can apply up to six months after the funeral of their family member, friend, or loved one.”
James Blackburn, Head of Funerals at Scotmid Funerals, said: “We encourage the bereaved families that we care for to apply if they think they are eligible for Funeral Support Payment.
“We are delighted to work with Social Security Scotland to make sure that more people are aware of this support and that they apply for it. Through our funeral teams, website and our literature we signpost people to find out more and support them to apply.”
Funeral Support Payment helps pay towards funeral costs if you live in Scotland. The payment can be used towards funeral costs for a baby, child or adult. This includes babies who were stillborn
People can apply for support up to six months after the date of their loved one’s funeral
Those eligible for the Funeral Support Payment must be living in Scotland, be financially responsible for the funeral and be on a qualifying benefit or tax credit
In Scotland, local authorities cover the burial or cremation costs for a baby, child or young person aged 17 or under
People can choose to apply online, via a paper application form or by calling Social Security Scotland’s specially trained bereavement team free on 0800 182 2222
More information can be found online at https://www.mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment/
The deadline to apply for Best Start Grant School Age Payment is midnight on 29 February 2024.
Your child could be eligible if they were born between 1 March 2018 and 28 February 2019 and your family receives Universal Credit, tax credits or other qualifying benefits.
If you get Scottish Child Payment then there’s no need to apply. Your School Age Payment will arrive automatically. But there are some people who don’t get Scottish Child Payment who might still be able to get School Age Payment – for example those who get housing benefit.
If you think you could be eligible, please visit our website and apply before 29 February 2024:
Edel Harris OBE, former chief executive of the charity Mencap, has been appointed to chair the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment.
The Independent Review – a Programme For Government commitment – will consider people’s experiences of the Scottish benefit to ensure it continues to meet the needs of disabled people.
Adult Disability Payment is paid to disabled working age adults in recognition of the extra costs of being disabled or having a long-term health condition. It is currently supporting 137,490 disabled people in Scotland and has provided £461.8 million in payments since it was launched in August 2022.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Edel Harris brings a wealth of experience to this important position, both from her leading roles in third sector organisations and her personal experience as a family carer.
“A year on from the national launch of Adult Disability Payment, we are fulfilling our pledge to have an independent review to ensure it is meeting the needs of disabled people both now and in the future. Ms Harris will ensure the views of disabled people and groups that represent them are heard throughout the review.
“I am committed to continuing to improve the experience of people receiving this benefit – to ensure they are supported in line with the principles of dignity, fairness, and respect at the heart of our social security system.”
Adult Disability Payment was introduced in August 2022 as a replacement for the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment. It is paid to disabled working age adults in recognition of the extra costs of being disabled or having a long-term health condition.
As many people return to their jobs following the festive break, those in part-time and full-time work have been reminded that they can qualify for Scottish Government benefits.
People in work can receive many of the payments administered by Social Security Scotland, including those designed to help low-income families.
The Scottish Government also delivers Job Start Payment – a one-off payment to help young people who haven’t been working meet the costs of starting a new job.
In Scotland, around one in three people getting Universal Credit are in work, and Universal Credit is a qualifying benefit for several other payments.
Thousands of working people get Scottish Child Payment and the other benefits which make up Social Security Scotland’s five family payments.
These consist of three Best Start Grants – Pregnancy & Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment – and Best Start Foods.
People with jobs can also qualify for Adult Disability Payment, with qualification not based on employment or income, and one-off payments including Winter Heating Payment and Funeral Support Payment.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley Anne Somerville said: ““In January there are lots of people starting new jobs or returning to work for the first time in a while and I’d urge them to check what benefits they may be eligible for.
“I’d particularly highlight the support available to young people starting in work via Job Start Payment.
“This one-off payment can make a difference with the costs of getting up and running in a new job and again we want to make sure it reaches as many eligible people as possible.
“We are helping people across Scotland through the cost-of-living crisis by committing £6.1 billion in social security benefits and payments. That’s £1.1 billion more than the Block Grant Adjustment received due to spend on comparable benefits by the UK Government.”
Job Start payment helps with the costs of starting a new job such as paying for travel, work clothes or childcare. Eligible people receive a one-off payment of £294.70 or £471.50 if they are a main carer of any children.
It is available to those between the age of 16 to 24 who are already getting qualifying benefits and have been out of paid work for six months prior to finding a job. Care leavers can apply for a further year (up to the day before their 26th birthday) and only need to be out of work and receiving a qualifying benefit on the day of the job offer, not for the previous 6 months.
Are you missing out on benefit entitlements? Call Granton Information Centre on 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458 to arrange an appointment for a benefits check – email appointments@gic.org.uk
SOCIAL Security Scotland has improved the way people who get Child Disability Payment move over to Adult Disability Payment.
When disability assistance was first introduced, if someone was eligible for Adult Disability Payment, it would be paid from the date their application was approved.
This meant the day they received Adult Disability Payment could be different from the day they’d previously received Child Disability Payment.
Clients told Social Security Scotland this could cause difficulty managing their finances. SSS have listened and Adult Disability Payment will now be paid on the same day as their Child Disability Payment previously was.
No matter when they’re approved for Adult Disability Payment, the client’s last Child Disability Payment will be the same amount that they’ve always received, at the time they expect to receive it. This will be followed four weeks later by their first, full Adult Disability Payment on their usual payment day. This means clients will know how much they are going to get and when they will get it.
The exception to this is if a decision is made on someone’s Adult Disability Payment application after their 19th birthday.
Applying for Adult Disability Payment
People don’t automatically move from Child Disability Payment to Adult Disability Payment. This is because someone who is eligible for one may not be eligible for the other, or they may not be eligible for the same amount of money even if they are eligible for both benefits.
People who get Child Disability Payment can apply for Adult Disability Payment from the age of 16. When a child or young person reaches age 16, they are legally responsible for their own benefits and can manage them themselves. If they are unable to do this, we can appoint someone to do it for them.
Child Disability Payment normally stops when the person reaches 18, so it’s important clients apply for Adult Disability Payment well before this time. If they don’t, their Child Disability Payment will stop.
If they apply for Adult Disability Payment before reaching age 18 and a decision has not been made before their birthday, then their Child Disability Payment can continue (until age 19).
We aim to contact people who get Child Disability Payment three times to encourage them to apply for the adult benefit.
The first time is five months before the person’s 16th birthday. We contact them twice more once they are 17. But clients don’t need to wait for a letter from us to make their Adult Disability Payment application.
There are special rules for clients who have a terminal illness. They receive the maximum Child Disability Payment award and can choose to stay on this benefit indefinitely. If they choose to move to Adult Disability Payment, we transfer them with no need for an application form and they will also get the maximum award.
Young carers are being urged to do something for themselves during this season of giving and get the financial support they are entitled to. Social Security Scotland is encouraging eligible people to apply for the £359.65 Young Carer Grant this December.
Young carers may look after family members, friends or relatives. Their caring role could involve supporting someone with a disability, illness or addiction; helping them with their mental health; helping or reminding them to take their medication; doing their shopping, cleaning or cooking; or translating for them, for example.
The latest figures for Young Carer Grant show that over 10,000 payments had been issued up to the end of September this year, totalling over £3.2 million, since the grant launched in Scotland in 2019.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “December is a busy and expensive time for everyone, with young carers balancing their studies and/or work alongside their vital caring roles.
“We’re urging young carers to do something for themselves this festive season and check if they could be eligible for Young Carer Grant. As the cost of living crisis continues and people feel additional financial pressures in January, this money is designed to provide some recognition for the important role of unpaid young carers and allow them to take part in the same activities as their peers.
“Young carers aged 16, 17 and 18 can get this payment of over £350 each year as long as they remain eligible. They need to apply for the Young Carer Grant each year to get the payment.”
Max, who is a young carer for her mum, dad and brother, said:
“I spent the Young Carer Grant on driving lessons so I was able to drive my dad about as part of my caring role. I also bought loads of clothes and shoes just so I could have time to go out, dress up and have a bit of time for myself. It really made a difference that I had money for myself.”
Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £359.65 for young carers in Scotland.
To be able to get Young Carer Grant, you must be 16, 17 or 18 years old.
People can apply for Young Carer Grant online, via a paper application form or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
Social security support to help eligible people with heating costs
Money to help with heating costs is on its way to around 400,000 people on low incomes through the Scottish Government benefit Winter Heating Payment.
Winter Heating Payment is paid in batches to eligible clients, with the first payments paid this week. The majority of people will receive their payment by the end of January 2024.
This annual payment of £55.05 targets low-income households that have additional need for heat, including households with young children, disabled people and older people, providing stable, reliable support every winter.
Winter Heating Payment was first paid in winter 2022-2023 and replaces the DWP Cold Weather Payment. Unlike the DWP benefit that was reliant on the weather being sufficiently cold for a sustained period of time, Winter Heating Payment guarantees that everyone who is eligible will receive a payment every year, no matter the weather.
The majority of people eligible for Winter Heating Payment who were already getting qualifying benefits during the week of 6- 12 November will get it automatically, with no need to apply. It is paid through Social Security Scotland and people will get a letter to let them know they are eligible.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are investing around £22 million this winter through Winter Heating Payments to support 400,000 people on low incomes across the country at a time when they are struggling with the cost of living crisis and higher energy bills.
“Winter Heating Payment guarantees that everyone eligible will get a payment every year, rather than the UK Government approach of requiring the weather being sufficiently cold for a sustained period of time.
“Our annual, reliable payment will support people on low incomes with the costs of heating their homes throughout the winter, we know it is harder for these households to spend more money to heat their homes.
“The vast majority of people will receive the payment automatically either this month or next.”
The UK Government’s Cold Weather Payments triggers a £25 payment only when the average of the mean daily temperature recorded for 7 consecutive days was equal to or below zero degrees. In contrast, the Scottish Government’s Winter Heating Payment provides reliable financial support through an automatic £55.05 payment, no matter the weather.
An individual may be eligible to receive Winter Heating Payment if they are in receipt of any of the following benefits: Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and Support for Mortgage Interest.
As with the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payments, additional qualifying criteria for some of these benefits may also need to be satisfied, for example in relation to disability premiums paid to the client or if a disabled or young child is in their household.
