Carer Benefits Advisory Group minutes: November 2024

Attendees and apologies

Present

• Angela Bathgate, Kirsty Irons, Social Security Scotland Communications
• Angela Toal, Child Poverty Action Group
• Beth Friel, Paul Traynor, Carers Trust 
• Fiona Collie, Carers Scotland
• Oonagh Fraser, Scottish Government Research and Evaluation
• Sharon McGuire, Scottish Government (SG) Carer Policy
• Shirley Morris, VOCAL
• Alice Crawford, Dawn Kane, Ellen Searle, Jane Sterry, Kate Thomson-McDermott (Chair), John Melville, Lynn Shaw, Sarah Wotton, Victoria Boal (Secretariat), Scottish Government Carer Benefits Policy

Apologies

• Anne Baldock, One Parent Families Scotland
• Caitlin Forsyth, Scottish Government Minimum Income Guarantee Policy
• Ellie Wagstaff, Marie Curie
• Jill Wood, Engender
• John Cunningham, COSLA
• Miranda Ralston, Social Security Scotland Communications

Items and actions

Minutes, actions from previous meeting and updates

No comments were raised on the minutes from the previous meetings, and members were invited to email officials should anything else arise.
An update on the agreement for carers getting Carer’s Allowance as a result of transitional protection was provided; and it was confirmed that there were only three individuals in the overall group who continue to be paid Carer’s Allowance and therefore eligible to receive Carer Allowance Supplement (CAS). 
Members noted the current pressures on carers centres resources, heightened by the recent increase in employers National Insurance Contributions. Although SG signposting to services was welcomed by members, members again noted that this could increase the demand whilst carer centres are working with limited resources. Common reasons for carer services to be contacted currently are regarding benefit maximisation and home heating support. agreed to ongoing monitoring and welcomed any feedback. 
A recent meeting between the Cabinet Secretary, Carers Trust, SG officials and older adult unpaid carers was also discussed. Ms Somerville made a commitment at this meeting to address carer’s concerns over the letters issued regarding underlying entitlement. Officials were also contacting the DWP to examine the mandatory reconsideration letter.
Members are raised that Carer Support Payment hasn’t been added to the DWP legislation to allow people to backdate their Pension Credit. Officials confirmed that they will work with the DWP to examine this.

Actions:

• Officials to investigate the Pension Credit issue raised

Research Advisory Group 

Research and Evaluation officials asked for external volunteers to join the Research Advisory Group to provide expert advice. Officials from other teams within SG had already been recruited. This would involve 3-4 online meetings of about an hour in each phase of work. 
A few members volunteered in the meetings itself, and officials will send out a brief description of what is required to all members, with anyone interested encouraged to get in touch.

Actions:

• Officials to send out a description of the Group to members
• Members to confirm if they would like to volunteer

Budget and Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Carer's Review on overpayments updates

The DWP announced an independent review into Carer’s Allowance overpayments; examining the processes that lead to the overpayments, rather than the rules of entitlement to Carer’s Allowance. There is an acceptance that the two are linked.
Officials confirmed that they have been in touch with the Secretariat of the review, as although it is focussing on England and Wales, SG have indicated they are happy to share information about processes in Scotland.
The UK government confirmed in the recent budget announcement that it is increasing the earnings threshold to the equivalent of 16 hours of the National Living Wage per week (£196 per week). In the 2022 Scottish Carer's Assistance: consultation, SG had consulted on plans to increase the earnings threshold for CSP following the completion of case transfer. SG officials are currently giving advice to the Cabinet Secretary following on from the announcement, with more information to be provided over the next few weeks as the Scottish Fiscal Commission finalise their forecasts.

It was noted there are four possible options for the CSP earnings threshold, to set it to:

• 159, in line with average wage growth (4.9%)  
• £162, in line with increase to the National Living Wage (UK Government National Minimum Wage) (6.7%)    
• £196, in line with Carer’s Allowance at 16x the National Living Wage (30%)
• £202, in line with 16x Scottish Real Living Wage (34%)

Members queried whether there will be any correspondence as to how earnings threshold rates will be set for CSP over the longer term. Officials noted the current agreement that the rate will continue to match that for Carer’s Allowance for the period of the current Agency Agreement with the DWP, and that  they are continuing to develop policy proposals for the earnings threshold for 2026/27 and beyond.

Actions: 

• Officials will provide updates on the earnings threshold when possible

Carer Support Payment rollout

Officials confirmed that online resources for CSP have been updated, with additional information on backdating and special rules etc. Additionally, the backdating process is continuously being reviewed to confirm whether there are any improvements to be made. Improvements have been made since launch, but it is acknowledged that this is a complicated area.
Members were thanked for their support with the CSP national roll out, and any additional questions or feedback were welcomed. A case study regarding the education rules and guidance on gov.scot was raised; officials confirmed that they will investigate the issue and respond via email. It will also be raised with Social Security Scotland.

Actions: 

• Officials will investigate the case study raised regarding the educations rules and respond via email

Carer Support Payment Priority Improvements and Young Carer Grant extension

It was confirmed that CAS will now be renamed Scottish Carer’s Supplement (SCS); and the payment for carers caring for more than one person will be named Carer Additional Person Payment (CAPP). Both will be paid alongside CSP.
The temporary breaks in care rules will be amended to allow carers to access paid temporary breaks in care from the beginning of their caring role. The rules will apply to CSP and SCS in relation to the primary cared for person; and to CAPP in relation to each additional cared for person. There will be no limit to how many cared for persons can be claimed for under CAPP; with officials acknowledging that the Cabinet Secretary had considered member’s feedback on these points.
Officials noted earlier discussions over the safeguarding implications to having no limit on CAPP. Members advised that although ideally no one would be caring for a large number of people, in reality this does happen. As a result, members are keen to ensure that carers can access the support they are entitled to but also agreed that some safeguarding processes need to be put in place.
Members suggested that there could be a direct referral process to further support – with the consent of carers – as some carers will have had negative experiences in the past and not wish to do so themselves. The role of Adult Carer Support Plans were noted but members also highlighted. the reality of what the plans recommend carers getting, and what they are able to receive, is often different.
SG officials confirmed that they are still in discussions with the DWP on the timetable of introducing- the priority improvements, seeking to take the draft regulations to the Scottish Commission on Social Security in the upcoming weeks. The aim is to have them in force by September 2025. 

Actions:

• members encouraged to send over any case studies if possible re: multiple caring roles. It was thought that this may also help some carers identify that they are carers
• officials to keep members updated on CAPP safeguarding discussions

“Switching”

Officials sought views from members regarding the process when a carer with a CAPP award reports a change of circumstances meaning they would no longer be entitled to Carer Support Payment for the primary cared for person. If the change is specific to the primary cared for person there may be circumstances in which the carer could instead be entitled to CSP for the additional cared for person. The discussion focused on the level of support that could be put in place to help carers make decisions in such circumstances. Three options were presented:

• option 1: supported process within a CSP award for bereavement cases only, which would mean that the award would not end where a carer indicated they wished to change the primary cared for person within the CSP award
• option 2: To end the CSP award for the primary cared for person, beginning a new CSP award for the new primary cared for person without a new application needing to be made
• option 3: Keep the status quo – the award for the primary cared for person is ended and a new application must be made; supported by Social Security Scotland

Members advised that option 3 is more work for carers, but will still work in practice. Regardless of the option chosen, it is vital that the cared for person receives the appropriate notifications as to any changes. It was also highlighted that both ‘switching’ and any appeals process that follows will involve lots of interactions with the DWP systems.

Members queried whether there was any way to integrate the Tell Us Once service in the case of bereavement. Given that there is the ‘run-on’ period at the end of the Carer Support Payment award, tying this in with Option 1 would mean that there is less for the carer to do. Some members expressed that Option 3 would not be optimal, as it would provide additional work for carers who would have lost their CSP award, as well as the additional support provided by SCS. If there is more than one additional cared for person, this would also have a greater impact.
Officials suggested that the bereavement run-on would give Social Security Scotland time to discuss the carer to discuss their award and any additional application. This could be presented as a Change of Circumstances as opposed to a full new application, so could be a shorter process. It was also highlighted that limiting Option 1 to cases involving bereavement reflects how labour-intensive the process may end up being. As Social Security Scotland can only provide Option 1 for a few cases, the thinking behind Option 3 would be that this would provide time in the medium term to design a better approach that works for everybody. If Option 3 is selected, officials will work on ensuring it is as straight forward as possible. 

Actions: 

• Officials to keep members updated on processes for ‘switching’

Request for content views

Officials sought members suggestions on topics for the upcoming Equalities meeting, and welcomed any feedback via email prior to the meeting.

Close and date of next meeting 

Officials confirmed that meeting dates for 2025 will be polled via email. If members have any items that they wish to discuss, they are encouraged to get in touch.