Social Security Experience Panels: short-term assistance - report

Annex A: Short-term Assistance Information Sheet

What is it?

Short-term assistance is a new payment that will be offered by the Scottish Government from 2020. It is available when a decision by Social Security Scotland reduces or stops someone’s benefit. If they want to challenge that decision, they can apply for Short-term assistance. It then keeps their benefit at the original level until the dispute is solved.

What is the purpose behind it?

The purpose is to protect peoples’ right to challenge decisions without having to manage with less money. This is not available in the DWP system.

How long does someone receive it?

Short-term assistance will be available from when a person requests a re-determination. Short-term assistance will not be given from the start of the re-determination period. Instead they will receive Short-term assistance from the day they applied for it. It will stop when Social Security Scotland makes the re-determination. However, if someone remains unhappy and wants to appeal this decision, Short-term assistance will begin again. It will run from the time they make the appeal until the Tribunal has made a decision.

Who is entitled to it?

Anyone who receives an ongoing benefit from Social Security Scotland who is requesting a re-determination or appeal. It will be available to those who are already on the benefit. People with new claims are not eligible for Short-term assistance.

People who want Short-term assistance have to request it, it is not automatic. This is because making it automatic for everyone would remove peoples’ right to choose.

The list of ongoing benefits that are eligible for Short-term assistance are Child Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carers’ Allowance and Employment Injury benefit.

Does it have to be paid back?

No, Short-term assistance will not need to be paid back.

Will it cover passported benefits?

Short-term assistance will protect any associated benefit that is covered by your local authority. For example, when a person’s Personal Independence Payment benefit is going through re-determination, their blue badge will be protected.

Short-term assistance will not cover any associated benefit that is provided by DWP or HMRC.

Will it be available to people who have their DWP benefits reduced or stopped?

Short-term assistance only applies to benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland. It won’t be available to people who have any other benefits reduced or stopped. This is because Scottish Government has no control over UK Government policy, processes and decision making.