The Scottish Government has announced proposals for the introduction of three new devolved benefits which will be rolled out by 2025. The details have been published as part of an updated Social Security Programme Business Case.
Carer Support Payment will be the first of the three benefits to be rolled out as part of a pilot scheme by the end of this year followed by a national launch in Spring 2024 and will replace Carer’s Allowance for new applicants. Social Security Scotland said it is continuing to work with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to develop processes that will ensure those already in receipt of Carer’s Allowance will have their award transferred automatically to the devolved IT system - so that people will not need to reapply.
A phased pilot scheme is due to start in Autumn 2024 for Pension Age Disability Payment, which will replace Attendance Allowance, before a national launch in early 2025. At the end of 2024, Social Security Scotland also plans to launch Pension Age Winter Heating Assistance.
Carer Support Payment will be the 14th benefit to be introduced since the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 was unanimously approved by the Scottish Parliament.
A consultation on Carer Support Payment ran between February and May 2022 and the response to this is due to be published in the coming weeks.
Ben Macpherson, Minister for Social Security said: “Introducing 14 new payments in just over five years is no mean feat. We have built this social security system from scratch, working with the people who will use it to make sure that we provide an improved experience and one that treats people with dignity, fairness and respect.
“Our delivery progressed despite a global pandemic. This was recognised by Audit Scotland who commended us for continuing to ‘successfully deliver new and complex social security benefits in challenging circumstances’.
“We are already providing money that is making a real difference for families on low incomes, people who need help paying for a funeral, disabled people, carers, young people entering the workplace and to help people heat their homes. The people accessing this service are happy with it too - with 89% telling us their experience has been ‘good’ or ‘very good’.”
However, he added: “Our success to date has not made us complacent. Establishing new payments and transferring awards in a safe and secure way continues to be our priority.
“We have gained a significant amount of experience and knowledge through our delivery to date. This is all reflected in the timetable we have announced. I look forward to these payments being up and running and seeing the reach of our new social security system going even further - investing £7.3 billion by 2027-28 supporting 2 million people each year.”
You can read the Minister’s speech in full here and the Social Security Programme Business Case here.
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