Today the Scottish Government launched a public consultation to ask for views on ‘Scottish Carer’s Assistance’ – which will be the replacement benefit for Carer’s Allowance in Scotland.
The consultation would like to hear views on what the Scottish Carer’s Assistance should look like when it is launched, for example how Carer’s Allowance Supplement should be paid in future and on extra support for people looking after more than one person in receipt of disability benefits.
It also asks for feedback on proposed future changes to eligibility criteria which could be made once case transfer is complete. These include:
- removing education restrictions so full-time students can get Scottish Carer’s Assistance
- allowing carers to add together hours spent caring for more than one person to meet the caring hours requirement for Scottish Carer’s Assistance
- increasing the time carers will receive Scottish Carer’s Assistance from eight to twelve weeks after the death of a cared for person
- making payments for longer when a cared for person goes into hospital or residential care
- increasing the amount carers can earn and still get support.
We would like to encourage carers to share their views and experiences as part of this consultation. You can read the consultation and respond via the following link: https://consult.gov.scot/social-security/scottish-carers-assistance/
The consultation will run for 12 weeks until 23 May 2022.
