Carer Benefits Advisory Group minutes: September 2025

Attendees and apologies

Present       

• Angela Toal, Child Poverty Action Group
• Anne Baldock, One Parent Families Scotland
• Fiona Collie, Carer Scotland
• Miranda Ralston. Social Security Scotland Communications
• Paul Traynor, Carers Trust
• Sharon McGuire, Scottish Government (SG) Carer Policy
• Shirley Morris, Vocal
• Shubhanna Hussain, Coalition of Carers
• David Hilber (chair), Dawn Kane, Helen Speirs, Jane Sterry, Sarah Wotton, Victoria Boal (secretariat)

Apologies

• Mike Brown, Social Work Scotland
• Ellie Wagstaff, Marie Curie
• Catriona Kirkpatrick and Jill Wood, Engender

Items and actions

Actions and minutes from previous meetings

Officials confirmed that there has been an editable PDF developed for Carer Support applications and that colleagues in Social Security are examining whether this is something that could be made available publicly, as it is currently used by Local Delivery Teams only. Officials also confirmed work is ongoing on making third party applications from representatives available online.

Officials confirmed that the Family Fund report from the previous meeting will be taken into consideration when developing any communications for Carer Support.

In light of the significant changes made to the UK Government’s disability benefits proposals since these were discussed at a previous meeting, Disability Benefits Policy colleagues have provided an update within the updates paper.

SG officials agreed that they will contact the Minimum Income Guarantee team to confirm whether there is a planned timeline in publishing the SG response to their recent report.

Action: SG officials to contact Minimum Income Guarantee team for more information on the timing of the SG response to the MIG report.

Updates

SG officials confirmed that they have been successful in finding a research group to conduct the second phase of the Carer Support Payment evaluation which will also cover Young Carer Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement. The report from this research is expected in summer 2026. CBAG members were thanked for their input to evaluation work to date, in particular those who participated in the Research Advisory Group and will be kept updated as to the progress of this next stage of evaluation.

SG officials highlighted ongoing service improvements in Carer Support Payment made in response to feedback from carers and carer organisations. Carers are able to apply for extended backdating (more than 13 weeks) online and members were encouraged to ensure that carers are aware of this. Members queried how information will be shared publicly to support carers with this. SG officials from Social Security Scotland communications advised that there were social media posts made when these changes were implemented, and information is on mygov pages, but they would consider further communications activity to raise awareness of this.

SG officials noted another service improvement meant that people receiving Carer Support Payment and approaching State Pension age will now receive a letter in advance to inform them of the impact this may have on their award.

SG officials noted that members had discussed eligibility for Carer Support Payment for foster carers at the previous meeting, that discussions on this issue were continuing across SG, and that officials will keep members updated on this issue.

Members were thanked for all of their contributions to The Carer’s Assistance (Miscellaneous and Consequential Amendments, Revocation, Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2025, which were due be laid in parliament the day after the meeting.

Action: Social Security Scotland communications to consider further action to raise awareness of ability to request extended backdating online.

Action: SG officials to keep members updated on discussions regarding Carer Support Payment and foster carers.

Carer Support Payment and Young Carer Grant – amendment regs walkthrough

Officials provided a run through of the draft amendment regulations, which were due to be laid in parliament on, 5 September 2025. These can now be found in full here. These implement the changes that have been discussed in previous meetings with members; most recently in the June 2025 meeting of the group.

Questions were raised throughout the run through; members queried whether there will be guidance related to the regulations published and officials confirmed that guidance would be published once changes were in force.

It was also noted that those carers with underlying entitlement will have their awards changed in name only. Officials confirmed that SCoSS had previously highlighted that this may cause some unnecessary worry; as a result work has been undertaken on different notices for different groups of carers. Officials noted they were aware that carers with underlying entitlement can often feel frustrated when receiving correspondence from Social Security Scotland about Carer Support Payment so care has been taken to ensure that the communications and engagement strategy gets it right for each carer. Letters about the move to Carer Support will need to issue to all clients but different wording has been used for those with underlying entitlement and specifically those in receipt of State Pension. Officials are aware that those on State Pension are on higher awards than they would receive on Carer Support, however those getting other overlapping benefits may be better off receiving Carer Support and so information has been included in letters for these clients so they can consider this.

Members also asked how changes which happened before the transfer to Carer Support would be taken into account and officials confirmed that the transfer from Carer Support Payment to Carer Support would be treated as a continuous entitlement.

Officials also confirmed that Carer Additional Person Payment will be paid alongside Carer Support Payment – either weekly or every four weeks, depending on when the carer is paid Carer Support Payment. It will not be means-tested but carers will need to be getting paid Carer Support Payment, which does have an earnings threshold. It was also confirmed that an agreement had been reached with HMRC that Carer Additional Person Payment would not be taxable income.

Members also highlighted that there are longer than expected waiting times with Social Security Scotland for Carer Support Payment applications currently. Officials noted that they were aware of this and would raise this again with Social Security Scotland and update members on action being taken to address this.

Action: SG officials to discuss Carer Support Payment application processing times with Social Security Scotland and provide an update for members

Any other business & close

There were discussions as to whether another meeting would be helpful to have prior to the 2026 Scottish Parliament elections. Members agreed that it would be helpful to have a meeting should any issues arise with the implementation of the priority improvements, or should members have feedback to provide. It was agreed that a short break until after the election may be beneficial.
Action: Officials to keep in touch with members throughout the following months regarding setting up future meetings.