Carer’s Allowance is being replaced by Scottish Carer’s Assistance and new details have been published by the Scottish Government about how people will be transferred over. Under the new devolved benefit, claimants will continue to receive the standard payment, which is currently £69.70 a week, and two additional payments of £245.70 each year.
The two extra payments were introduced last year effectively increasing the support by 13 percent.
The guidance states the transfer will be a “safe and secure process, which will require no action on behalf of the individual wherever possible”.
The rollout has been designed so no one will be required to reapply for the benefit and people will get clear communications about how they will be moved across.
People will continue to get their payment at the right time and the case transfer process will take place as soon as possible while ensuring it is safe and secure.
READ MORE: Shell Energy to pay eligible customers £150 winter support from today – do you qualify?
The regulations state: “When an individual’s carer benefit has been selected for transfer, Scottish ministers will receive data and information relevant to the individual’s most recent Carer’s Allowance award from DWP.
“Once Scottish ministers have received this information, the regulations make provision for the Scottish ministers to notify the individual of the intention to transfer them to Carer Support Payment. This notice will set out the process for that transfer.”
The full national rollout of the new benefit is to take place from Spring 2024. Minister for Social Security and Local Government, Ben Macpherson, recently said: “The level of support we provided in 2022 totalled £3.48billion, through payments made by Social Security Scotland and under agency agreements with the Department for Work and Pensions.
“Looking forward, we will continue our work to devolve social security benefits. We will continue our dynamic and proactive approach to delivering devolved Scottish social security.”
The care provided can include helping with tasks such as washing or cooking, or taking the person to an appointment.
The carer may also help with household tasks such as managing bills and getting the person’s shopping.
Applicants must be aged 16 or over and have lived in England, Scotland or Wales for at least two of the last three years.
They must also normally live in England, Scotland or Wales, although a person may still be eligible if they are in an EEA country or Switzerland.
A person cannot claim the support if they are in full time education or studying for 21 hours a week or more.
The claimant’s earnings also have to be no more than £132 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.
Carer’s Allowance is increasing by 10.1 percent next month, with payments to increase from £69.70 a week to £76.75 a week.
Many other benefits are also increasing by 10.1 percent in the new tax year, including Universal Credit, PIP and Pension Credit.
The state pension will increase by 10.1 percent for both the new and basic state pension.
The full basic state pension is going up from £141.85 a week to £156.20 a week while the new state pension is increasing from £185.15 a week to £203.85 a week.
