Social Security Scotland has confirmed that eight benefits it delivers to thousands of people across the country are rising by 6% in April.
The increase in payments for low income households and carers comes as the cost of living continues to rise with energy prices set to increase for millions of gas and electricity customers from April 1.
Benefits and assistance including Job Start Payment, Young Carers Grant, Funeral Support Payment and Carer’s Allowance Supplement were due to be increased by 3.1% for the new financial year, however, subject to parliamentary approval, the increases will now be almost doubled to 6%.
In addition, Social Security Scotland has announced that the three Best Start Grant payments, which it had not previously planned to uprate, will also now be uprated by 6%.
Child Winter Heating Assistance, which was previously set to rise by 5%, will now also increase by 6%.
And from Friday, April 1, there will be a 100% increase in Scottish Child Payment, which will double from £10 per week to £20.
Best Start Foods was already increased from £4.25 to £4.50 a week in August (5.88%).
However, Adult Disability Payment and Child Disability Payment will still increase by 3.1% on April 11 in line with the equivalent benefits delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) - Personal Independence Payment and Disability Living Allowance.
This is to avoid creating a two-tier system where individuals paid by Social Security Scotland are paid more than those whose cases have not yet transferred to the Scottish benefits system.
Payment rates for 2022/2023
Best Start Grant
- Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment (1st Child Payment) - £642.35 (from £606)
- Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment (Subsequent Child Payment and Extra Payment for Twins/Triplets) - £321.20 (from ££303.00)
- Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment - £267.65 (from £252.50)
- Best Start Grant School Age Payment - £267.65 (from £252.50)
Child Winter Heating Assistance (annually) - £214.10 (from £202)
Funeral Support Payment
- Standard rate for other expenses element - £1,070.60 (from ££1,010)
- Other expenses element where there is a funeral plan - £130.65 (from £123.25)
- Removal of implanted medical devices - £21.55 (from £20.55)
Job Start Payment
- Job Start Payment (one-off) standard rate - £267.65 (from ££251.25)
- Higher rate - £428.25 (from ££404)Young Carer Grant
Young Carer Grant (annually) - £326.65 (from £308.15)
Carer’s Allowance Supplement - £9.45 (from £8.90)
Adult Disability Payment - same as PIP uprating of 3.1%
Daily living
- Standard rate - £61.85 (from £60)
- Enhanced rate - £92.40 (from £89.60
Mobility
- Standard rate - £24.45 (from £23.70)
- Enhanced rate - £64.50 (from £62.55)
Child Disability Payment - same as DLA for Children uprating of 3.1%
Care Component
- Highest Rate - £92.40 (from ££89.60)
- Middle Rate - £61.85 (from £60)
- Lowest Rate - £24.45 (from £23.70)
Mobility Component
- Higher Rate - £64.50 (from £62.55)
- Lower Rate - £24.45 (from £23.70)
You can view the full document on the Social Security Scotland website here.
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