Social security assistance - effects of inflation: report

5. Social Security Payments in 2019-20

5.1 The social security payments which were provided in Scotland during the financial year 2019-20 were:

5.2 Carer's Allowance: Carer's Allowance is the main devolved social security support available to carers. Until it is replaced by the Carer's Assistance under the Act, Carer's Allowance is being delivered in Scotland by the DWP on behalf of the Scottish Government. This interim provision has allowed the Scottish Government to increase support for carers through the Carer's Allowance Supplement.

5.3 Carer's Allowance will be uprated following the same process as for 2019-20 through legislation laid in the Scottish Parliament through powers under UK legislation. When the replacement benefit, Scottish Carer's Assistance is delivered, the Scottish Government is committed to annual uprating of this assistance.

5.4 Carer's Allowance Supplement: Carer's Allowance Supplement is a payment which provides extra support to people in receipt of Carer's Allowance in Scotland to match the level of Jobseeker's Allowance. Since 2018-19 we have uprated Carer's Allowance Supplement annually, in accordance with section 81 of the Act. This involves the supplement being calculated using an inflation-adjusted rate of Jobseeker's Allowance, and taking into account any change to the weekly rate of payment of Jobseeker's Allowance made by the DWP.

5.5 Young Carer Grant: The Young Carer Grant is the first of its kind in the UK and provides eligible young carers aged 16, 17 and 18 with a payment of £300, which can be applied for annually. There is a statutory requirement to uprate the grant annually.

5.6 Funeral Support Payment: Funeral Support Payment is a one-off payment to help meet the costs of a funeral. Prior to introduction, the average DWP payment in Scotland was £1,372 and the Scottish Government will provide a similar level of support.

5.7 A number of improvements have been made to Funeral Support Payment to help support bereaved families in comparison to the DWP payment that was previously delivered in Scotland. For example, eligibility has been widened by 40% and a new assessment process helps people understand if they are entitled to support, and assists in our work to increase take-up so that more people receive the support they are entitled to. There is a statutory requirement to uprate Funeral Support Payment annually.

5.8 Best Start Grant: The Scottish Government has replaced the Sure Start Maternity Grant with the Best Start Grant in Scotland. Split into 3 payments, the Best Start Grant provides support during key transition points in a child's early years. The Pregnancy and Baby Payment provides £600 for a first child and £300 for second and subsequent children. The Early Learning Payment provides £250 per child to support child development and School Age Payment provides £250 per child to help with the costs of preparing for school. There is no statutory requirement to uprate Best Start Grant.

5.9 Best Start Foods: Best Start Foods is a new Scottish payment available for women who are pregnant and families who have children aged up to three years old. It is paid as a credit onto a payment card that can be used to buy healthy foods such as milk, fruit and vegetables. It replaced the UK wide Healthy Start vouchers in Scotland and was increased from £3.10 to £4.25 per week for each eligible person in the family or £8.50 a child under 1 year old.

5.10 Best Start Foods is not delivered under the Act and so there is no statutory requirement to uprate or to provide the inflation-adjusted figures in the report.