Other benefit news

Child Benefit

If you have a new baby, you can still claim Child Benefit even if you have not yet managed to register your child’s birth. First time parents will need to fill in Child Benefit Claim form CH2. This can be done online or printed off and sent to the Child Benefit Office. If you haven’t registered the birth because of COVID-19, you should add a note to say this. If you already claim Child Benefit, you can complete the form or add your new-born’s details over the phone on 0300 200 3100. You will need your National Insurance number.

Recovery of benefit overpayments suspended

DWP have suspended deductions for benefit overpayments, Social Fund loans and Tax Credit debts but there has been a delay in amending benefit payments. The DWP are working their way through them and you don’t need to contact them. The phoneline has a recorded message on it and is not staffed.

Most deductions will be suspended automatically, however if you currently make repayments through a Bank Standing Order, Bank Giro Credit or through online banking, please contact your bank to cancel your arrangement.

Local Authorities are looking at the deductions from Housing Benefit and at present these deductions are still being taken from your Housing Benefit entitlement.

The recovery of advances by deduction from Universal Credit payments will continue. For further info see government news.

Sickness and Disability benefits

There will be no new reviews or reassessments of existing benefits for three months and the DWP has extended end dates for awards that are due to expire.

Face-to-face assessments for all sickness and disability benefits have been suspended for the next 3 months including for any new claims.

You can still make new applications for most benefits online. Jobcentres remain open and will continue to support people who are not able to use phones and online, including homeless people. You now have three months to return applications for PIP, Child DLA or Attendance Allowance

Applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).  You can’t do this online. Step one: To start your claim call the DWP on 0800 917 2222  and complete Part 1 by phone.  Part 2 will be sent out to you, and you now have 90 days to complete the form and send it back.  Seek help to complete Part 2.  Phone Scotland’s Citizens Advice Helpline on 0800 028 1456.

If you have already started your PIP application and an assessment has already taken place, the DWP will process your application. If they have set a date for an assessment, the assessment provider will get in touch with you to discuss how what happens next.

People receiving benefits don’t have to attend jobcentre appointments for at least 3 months. You will continue to receive your benefits as normal.

Carer’s Allowance

If you get Carer’s Allowance, you will still be paid even if you are unable to provide 35 hours’ care due to self-isolation or infection with coronavirus either of yourself or the person you care for; this will not be counted as a break in care. The care provided does not have to be in person where the carer or cared-for person is self-isolating.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be paid as normal in June and December. The qualifying date for the June payment is 13 April 2020.

Social Security Scotland Benefits – Changes to benefit eligibility

The Scottish Government has temporarily changed eligibility for several benefits, to help people who can’t get an application in on time because of coronavirus.

Best Start Grant

If you don’t get any other benefits, you usually need to be under 18 to be eligible for Best Start Grant. If you couldn’t apply before you turned 18 because of disruption caused by coronavirus, an application will still be considered.

Pregnancy and baby payment

A baby normally needs to be under 6 months old for a parent to be eligible for Pregnancy and Baby Payment. If you couldn’t apply before baby turned six months because of disruption caused by coronavirus, an application will still be considered.

Early Learning Payment

A child normally needs to be between 2yrs and 3 years 6 months old for a parent or carer to be eligible for Early Learning Payment. If you couldn’t apply before then due to the disruption caused by coronavirus, an application will still be considered.

Funeral Support Payment

If a person could not apply for Funeral Support Payment within six months of the funeral taking place due to the disruption caused by coronavirus, an application will still be considered.

Young Carer Grant

A young carer normally needs to be under 19 years but if you couldn’t apply before turning 19 because of disruption caused by coronavirus, an application will still be considered.

Evidence can be uploaded online

Social Security Scotland can now accept evidence uploaded online. Once you have submitted an application online, you will get a message taking you to the new portal to upload evidence.