Created: 09/06/2017
The first social security payments to be delivered by the Scottish Government have been outlined to parliament by Social Security Secretary Angela Constance.
The next milestone in building Scotland’s new social security system will be the delivery of the first benefits and these will be the increased Carer’s Allowance, the Best Start Grant and the Funeral Expense Assistance.
Increased Carer’s Allowance:
-
delivery from summer 2018
-
increasing to the same level as Jobseeker’s Allowance
-
an investment of more than £30 million a year
Best Start Grant (replacing the Sure Start Maternity Grant)
-
delivery by summer 2019
-
a one-off grant of £600 for the first child in low income families – an increase of £100 on the current rate
-
a re-introduction of £300 for subsequent children and two payments of £250 each during a child’s early years
Funeral Expense Assistance
-
delivery by summer 2019
-
processing applications within 10 days – significantly faster than at present
-
making it easier for people to understand if they are eligible for assistance
From Fife Voluntary Action Bulletin 15 June 2017