Question reference: S6W-03002
- Date lodged: 16 September 2021
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Current status: Answered by Ben Macpherson on 29 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what resources (a) it and (b) Social Security Scotland would require in order to extend the Carer's Allowance Supplement to everyone with an underlying entitlement.
Answer
Payment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance provides support to those carers typically on lower incomes and has enabled the Government to deliver much needed increased support as quickly as possible.
Extending eligibility to those with underlying entitlement would be a very significant undertaking requiring a completely new application process. Designing and developing the systems required and providing support to clients would require substantial additional resource within Social Security Scotland. New data sharing and co-operation arrangements would be required with DWP both to provide the data required to ensure those with underlying entitlement receive the payment and to ensure that payments were disregarded in the calculations of other benefits. All of this work would be complex and time-consuming and could only realistically be achieved with changes to the timetable for the delivery of the social security programme.
Developing Scottish Carer's Assistance, the replacement for Carer's Allowance, is a priority for delivery following the introduction of disability benefits. Support for carers with 'underlying entitlement' is being considered as part of that work. The Government will begin a consultation before the end of this year on proposals for Scottish Carer's Assistance.