Chamber and committees

Section 36 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 provides that Short-term Assistance will be available once a request for a‎ re-determination or an appeal is made. This is considered to be when the individual has submitted the re-determination or appeal form.

We are currently consulting on our proposals for STA, as part of the consultation on Disability Assistance, to inform the detailed design and operation of how it will operate.

Section 36 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 provides that Short-term Assistance will be available once a request for a re-determination or an appeal is made. In line with a rights based approach, Short-term Assistance will only be made available once the agency knows the individual wishes to receive it.

During 2018-19 Social Security Scotland ensured the delivery of Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and the Pregnancy and Baby Payment element of the Best Start Grant. Social Security Scotland was also working towards delivery of future benefits.

Social Security Scotland does not separate expenditure by benefit as many of the resources employed in delivery of benefits are shared and indivisible.

The spring revision to the Scottish Budget 2018-19 set Social Security Scotland’s running cost budget for the first seven months of operation at £16 million. The Agency’s 2018-19 outturn against budget will be confirmed through Social Security Scotland’s first Annual Report and Accounts, which will be subject to audit by Audit Scotland and are expected to be laid before Parliament in September 2019.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

Legislative provision for disability benefits being devolved to Scotland will be detailed in secondary legislation. The drafting of which will take account of all relevant legislation, regulations, guidance and case law.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The number of complaints, compliments and suggestions including the main themes, received by Social Security Scotland up until the period 31 March 2019 will be published as part of the Social Security Scotland Performance statistics to be published on 17 June 2019 and pre-announced at: https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/ForthcomingPubs .

The Scottish Government will continue to review relevant reserved disability benefit regulations, guidance and case law in formulating Disability Assistance. This will continue to involve relevant officials and, where appropriate, external stakeholders.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-23045 on 16 May 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

The Scottish Government will consider the appropriate balance between guidance and regulations in setting out the rules relating to entitlement, definitions of terms and processes.