CONSTANCE WELCOMES NEW BENEFITS SYSTEM BEING DELIVERED TO ALMOND VALLEY

CONSTANCE WELCOMES NEW BENEFITS SYSTEM BEING DELIVERED TO ALMOND VALLEY

Angela Constance MSP  has welcomed the news that the Scottish Government continues to press ahead with delivering Scotland’s new benefits system despite the challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People announced this week that Social Security Scotland will continue to press ahead with rolling out a raft of new benefits that will benefit those in West Lothian. 

 

The next benefit that will be rolled out across Scotland will be the Child Disability Payment, with applications opening in the Summer of 2021.

 

This will be followed by the Adult Disability Payment, which is set to be piloted from Spring 2022 and rolled out across the country by the Summer of that year.

 

Once the Adult Disability Payment is fully rolled out, those who are on Personal Independent Payment or Disability Living Allowance will be automatically switched to the new system, and not have to face another DWP face-to-face assessment.

 

Commenting Ms Constance said:

 

“I am delighted that the Scottish Government can continue with the rollout of its game-changing social security system, despite the challenges presented to it by COVID-19.

 

“Alongside the Job Start Payment, Child Winter Heating Assistance and the Scottish Child Payment, Scotland continues to develop a benefits system which benefits those that need it most.

 

“The transition from the UK government benefits to the new Scottish benefits will be stress free and people in West Lothian will have peace of mind that they will not have to go through what can be a distressing DWP assessment.

 

“As the pandemic continues, it is vital that the Scottish Government continues to support people in West Lothian,  especially into the winter months and develop a benefits system which is kind, compassionate and caring.”

 

Ends

 

Notes

• This update follows an announcement in April 2020 that outlined the impact of COVID-19 on the introduction of further devolved benefits, which can be found at https://news.gov.scot/speeches-and-briefings/statement-on-covid-19-update-on-devolved-benefits
• Position papers setting out what disability benefits under the Scottish Government will look like were published last month, these can be found at https://www.gov.scot/collections/social-security-policy-position-papers/
• From week commencing 23 November 2020, Social Security Scotland will administer a total of ten benefits of behalf of the Scottish Government. More information on these can be found at mygov.scot/benefits or by calling 0800 182 2222.

Work is continuing to with the UK Government to establish timelines for Scottish Carer’s Assistance, the other disability related benefits and winter benefits. People will continue to get their payments in the meantime under agency agreements with DWP.

 

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