Latest news with #Shirley-AnneSomerville
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Around 90,000 unpaid carers to receive special payment
Around 90,000 people across Scotland will receive the Carer's Allowance Supplement - a payment of £293.50. The benefit is available to those who were receiving Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on April 14. Read more: Primary school celebrates 50 years of 'memories and achievements' Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "This benefit was the first that we introduced when we formed Social Security Scotland back in 2018. "It's an additional payment to recognise the important contribution of unpaid carers in Scotland. "A payment not made anywhere else in the UK. "It's another example of how we've built a radically different social security system in Scotland, with dignity, fairness and respect at its heart." The Carer's Allowance Supplement is only available in Scotland and will be paid automatically between June 18 and 19. Eligible carers will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland ahead of the payment. No application is required. Read more: New care home boasting 'champagne bar' and 'cinema' to open in Glasgow Claire Cairns, director at The Coalition of Carers in Scotland, said: "At a time when many carers are struggling to pay the bills while providing essential support to loved ones, this payment is a vital acknowledgment of their role and a much-needed financial boost that helps ease some of the pressure they face every day." Any eligible carer who has not received a payment letter by June 30 should contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. The next Carer's Allowance Supplement will be paid in December.
Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Exact date unpaid carers to receive an extra £293 payment on top of benefit this month
The money will be issued to around 90,000 unpaid carers over a two-day period in June. The Scottish Government has confirmed around 90,000 unpaid carers are set to receive an additional payment of £293.50 next month. Carer's Allowance Supplement is only available north of the border and will be issued between June 18 and 19, 2025. The payment is issued by Social Security Scotland for people who receive Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on a specific date. Only carers in Scotland are eligible for the payment if they received Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on April 14, 2025. It's important to be aware that the £293.50 Carer's Allowance Supplement is paid separately from any benefit payment from Social Security Scotland or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Carers eligible for the payment will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made. Nobody needs to apply for the extra money as it is paid automatically to everyone who is eligible. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'This benefit was the first that we introduced when we formed Social Security Scotland back in 2018. It's an additional payment to recognise the important contribution of unpaid carers in Scotland. A payment not made anywhere else in the UK. 'It's another example of how we've built a radically different social security system in Scotland, with dignity, fairness and respect at its heart.' Claire Cairns, Director at The Coalition of Carers in Scotland added: 'At a time when many carers are struggling to pay the bills, while providing essential support to loved ones, this payment is a vital acknowledgment of their role and a much-needed financial boost that helps ease some of the pressure they face every day.' If a carer is eligible for Carer's Allowance Supplement but has not received a letter or payment by June 30, 2025, they should contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. December 2025 payment The next Carer's Allowance Supplement payment will be issued in December 2025. People will qualify for this payment if they were in receipt of Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on October 13, 2025. Similar to the summer payment, letters will be issued by Social Security Scotland before the money is due to land in bank accounts. If you, or someone you know, is providing at least 35 hours of unpaid care for a friend, family member or neighbour, and not claiming Carer Support Payment, you could be missing out on nearly £5,000 this year. Am I eligible for Carer Support Payment? Carer Support Payment is money you can get if you provide care for someone and meet certain eligibility criteria. You must: be 16 or over usually live in Scotland provide care for 35 hours or more a week, this includes if you provide care all day every day not earn more than £196 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses The person you care for must already get one of these benefits: Adult Disability Payment – daily living component Child Disability Payment – middle or highest rate care component Pension Age Disability Payment Attendance Allowance Personal Independence Payment – daily living component Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - middle or highest rate care component Disability Living Allowance – middle or highest rate care component Constant Attendance Allowance at or above normal maximum rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension Armed Forces Independence Payment You can find out more about how it might affect other payments here. The type of care you provide To get Carer Support Payment, you must provide care for someone as an unpaid carer for 35 hours or more a week. It cannot be care you provide: as a professional care worker through a volunteering scheme or charity Even if you do not think of yourself as an unpaid carer, you might be eligible for Carer Support Payment. Examples of caring for someone include supporting them: with their mental health during an illness with a disability if they have an addiction Supporting someone with their mental health If you provide care for someone with a mental health condition, you might: comfort them during a panic attack stay close by so they do not feel alone support them through a crisis make sure they're safe keep them company Supporting someone with an illness or disability If you provide care for someone with an illness or disability, you might support them with: getting around getting dressed taking medicines using the shower or toilet cooking meals food shopping translating The person you provide care for You might provide care for: someone in your family a friend a neighbour You do not have to live with them or be related to them. You can only apply for Carer Support Payment for one person. If you provide care for more people, you are not entitled to extra payments. You can check if you are eligible for Carer Support Payment and find full details on the devolved benefit on the website here.
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Cost of living help from local councils for people on a low income
People working full-time may also be able to pause Council Tax payments to ease financial pressure. Families and individuals on a low income or income-related benefits may be able to get help from their local council. Councils across Scotland have funding to help people in financial need during the ongoing cost of living crisis and all you need to do is call and explain your situation. If you are on a benefit such as Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Pension Credit, your council may be able to offer advice or check if you are missing out on any additional unclaimed benefits, discounts or redactions. Even if you don't claim any benefits, they may be able to help you. Something as simple as asking for your next Council Tax payment to be put on hold could provide immediate relief from money worries - just phone your local council and ask for help. Local authorities were able to support around 94,000 households on a low income with £89.3 million in Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) in 2024/25, thanks to Scottish Government funding. The Scottish Government funds councils to use the payments to help people affected by the Bedroom Tax, the Benefit Cap, and other housing-related UK Government welfare reform policies. New figures published for April 2024 - March 2025 show that councils spent 99 per cent of the £74.8m budget for the Bedroom Tax, suggesting they were able to almost completely protect people from its effects. Local authorities spent £5 million mitigating the Benefit Cap, an increase of over 40 per cent on the previous year. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Over the last 15 years, the Scottish Government has spent around £1.4 billion mitigating the impacts of UK Government policies such as the Bedroom Tax and Benefit Cap. 'This money could have been spent on services like health, education and transport, or on further ambitious anti-poverty measures, and would pay for around 3,000 teachers or 3,700 band 5 nurses each year. 'Under our Programme for Government we will spend £97 million this year to enable councils to use Discretionary Housing Payments to protect more than 94,000 households in Scotland against the worst impacts of harmful UK Government policies.' Ms Somerville warned: 'The UK Government's welfare cuts will force more families and children into poverty, according to its own figures. It is time for them to think again and abandon these harmful changes.' Every local council in Scotland has their own service with different rules and may be able to offer help with loans or grants, food vouchers, fuel vouchers and recycled clothes or household items - find your local council here. The Scottish Welfare Fund is also a good source of financial help which provides Community Care Grants, to help people live independently, and Crisis Grants, which provide a safety net in a disaster or emergency. Community Care Grants You may be able to get a Community Care Grant if: you're leaving care or imprisonment and need help to start a settled home you've been homeless, or living an unsettled life, and need help to start a settled home you need support to stay out of care you're caring for someone who's been released from prison or a young offender's institution you're experiencing great pressure and need help to keep a settled home you're escaping domestic abuse a child's health is at risk Your income To get a Community Care Grant you need to be on a low income, but this does not mean you need to be on benefits. What counts as a low income There is no figure that confirms whether you have a low income. As a guide, if you're on one of the benefits below, or your income is about the same as someone who is, it's more likely you can get a Community Care Grant: Income Support Pension Credit Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) - Income based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Income based Universal Credit Your savings If you have savings of over £700, or £1,200 if you get a pension, you may be less likely to get a Community Care Grant - your local council will decide. Crisis Grants A Crisis Grant is a one-off payment that can provide much-needed cash during an emergency, but it cannot be given to support your income long-term. If you need help because you are on a low income, the quickest way to find out what financial support you may be able to claim is to use a benefits calculator. These are independent, free and confidential and only take a few minutes to complete online - you can find out more about ones from Turn2Us, Advice Direct Scotland and entitledto at the end of this article. If your total household income is £30,000 or less, you may be entitled to extra help, so don't dismiss using one of the benefits calculators because you think your income is above the threshold. What is a Crisis Grant? A Crisis Grant can be given to cover the costs of an emergency Examples of this could include when: there is a fire or flood at home you have lost money an unexpected crisis happens you are a victim of domestic abuse and you need help with things like moving away from an abuser you are a grandparent or other relative who has taken over caring for a child, and you're waiting on a transfer of benefits you are facing a gap in your normal income because of a redundancy or change at work Who is eligible for a Crisis Grant? To get a Crisis Grant you need to be on a low income, however, this does not mean you need to be currently claiming benefits. What counts as a low income Similar to the Community Care Grant, the Scottish Government explains there is "no figure that will be used to judge whether you have a low income". As a guide, if you're on one of the benefits below, or your income is about the same as someone who is, it's more likely you will be able to get a Crisis Grant: Income Support Pension Credit Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) Universal Credit What financial help is available? If you do get a Crisis Grant, your local council will look at helping you with your most urgent living costs. Some things this may include are help with the costs of: Food Heating costs Many local councils have welfare rights advisers who can: tell you what benefits and other entitlements are available carry out checks so you don't miss out on any benefits help you complete forms give advice and support if your application for a benefit is turned down or you do not get the amount you were expecting How to apply You can apply directly to your local council through the website here. Most councils will tell you the outcome of your application within two working days, however, this may take longer due to application caseload. Online benefits calculators You can use an independent benefits calculator to find out: What benefits you could get How to claim How your benefits will be affected if you start work These calculators are free to use, anonymous, and could indicate benefits you're missing out on. Where to find help Advice Direct Scotland This new online tool is the first to fully integrate devolved benefits, including Adult or Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment, Carer Support payment or Scottish Child Payment. It provides a free and impartial assessment of entitlement to a range of benefits such as Universal Credit, crisis grants and support payments. Turn2us Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work or change your working hours entitledto Information on income-related benefits, Tax Credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer's Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work What you will need You will need accurate information about your: Savings Income, including your partner's Existing benefits and pensions (including anyone living with you) Outgoings (such as rent, mortgage, childcare payments) Council Tax bill
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Parents in Scotland urged to claim devolved payment worth £108 every month
Parents in Scotland urged to claim devolved payment worth £108 every month More than 233,000 parents are receiving extra financial support through the Scottish Child Payment. How to apply for Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours childcare Parents on a low income with children up to the age of 16 are being urged to 'check their eligibility and start their application today' for a benefit only available in Scotland. New figures from the Scottish Government show that Scottish Child Payment is supporting 326,255 children aged 16 and under. Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and provides financial support for families, helping with the costs of caring for a child. It is a weekly payment, currently worth £27.15 (£108.60 every four-week pay period), for every eligible child that a parent or carer looks after who's under 16 years of age. Social Security Scotland recently revealed that there are around one in 10 families who might be eligible for the payment but not claiming it. Child Benefit warning to parents ahead of crucial payment deadline READ MORE: Combined with Child Benefit payments from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), parents could be due up to £212.80 every month in additional support. Child Benefit is a separate UK-wide payment worth £26.05 for the eldest or only child. The payment is also issued every four weeks which amounts to £104.20 every payment period. Parents with additional children receive £17.25 each week, some £69.00 every four week pay period. Article continues below Michelle, a mother of three from Edinburgh shared the impact Scottish Child Payment is having in her daughter's life. She explained: 'One of my daughters has autism and ADHD, and Scottish Child Payment allows me to do activities that calm her down and make her happy and that makes a massive difference.' She added: 'Scottish Child Payment is something that helps you and helps your children when you're in a difficult financial situation. I think there's sometimes a stigma around applying for it, especially as a single mother, but I highly recommend that those who have yet to apply for it do so.' Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 'Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government's top priority and a national mission. These figures show that the Scottish Government is supporting 233,040 individual clients and 326,255 children throughout Scotland, with over £7.5 million paid out in Scottish Child Payment. 'These payments are actively improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Scotland - helping their families to access essentials and experiences they might otherwise miss out on because they live on a low income. 'In the coming year it is forecast we'll invest a further £471 million, ensuring that this support continues to reach even more families and children who need it." 'We would urge those who are thinking of applying for financial support, to check their eligibility and start their application today.' Scottish Child Payment is one of the five family payments parents and carers may be eligible for along with Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods. To qualify for Scottish Child Payment, all of the following need to apply: the person lives in Scotland the person or their partner are getting certain benefits or payments the person or their partner are the main person looking after a child who's under 16 years old A full list of qualifying benefits can be found online here. Article continues below Parents, carers and guardians can get more information about financial help on the dedicated Children and Family section on here or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222. Get the latest Record Money news Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates. Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday - sign up here. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community.
The National
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Food bank usage is down in Scotland, but ministers say there's more work to do
Food insecurity campaign group Trussell (formerly Trussell Trust) published their yearly figures on Wednesday, revealing an 8% dip in the number of UK families using food banks following last year's record high — but whilst Scotland has followed the downward trend, the total amount is still higher than pre-Covid levels. Trussell reported that 239,503 food parcels were distributed in Scotland in 2024/25, a decrease from almost 265,000 in 2023/24, but still sitting slightly above the number reported for 2019/20. READ MORE: MPs urge Westminster to follow Scotland's lead on free period products The Social Justice Secretary for Scotland, Shirley-Anne Somerville (below), said: 'We know that many people are still struggling as a result of the cost of living crisis and we are doing everything we can to support them — including through the Scottish Child Payment which is forecast to benefit the families of over 330,000 children in 2025/26. 'It was encouraging to see a 10% drop in the number of parcels distributed by Trussell food banks in Scotland between April 1 2024 and March 31 2025 compared to 2023/24. This shows our policies are working. However we know there is more to do. 'However, our efforts are continuing to be held back by the actions of a UK Government which is keeping in place policies like the two-child limit and is pushing 250,000 people into poverty with its cuts to support for disabled people.' Trussell provided further insights into growing food bank usage, highlighting a stark increase of 51% compared to figures from five years ago. A statement from the group read: 'Our new annual figures show that almost three million emergency food parcels were provided by food banks in our community to people facing hunger in the past year – equivalent to one parcel every 11 seconds. 'Families with children under five have seen a 32% rise over the past five years. This should be a 'wake-up call' for the UK Government to strengthen the social security system and re-think cuts to disability payments that risk forcing more people to food banks.'
