Chamber and committees

We are inviting views on our approach to sources of supporting information in our Consultation on Disability Assistance. Responses to the consultation will inform policy development.

The consultation can be found at: https://consult.gov.scot/social-security/improving-disability-assistance/ .

We are inviting views on our approach to the duration of awards and redeterminations in our Consultation on Disability Assistance. Responses to the consultation will inform policy development.

The consultation can be found at: https://consult.gov.scot/social-security/improving-disability-assistance/ .

The circumstances outlined in the Consultation on Disability Assistance in which the Agency may invite a person for a face to face assessment are consistent with section 14 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018. The circumstances outlined in the consultation are those where an assessment may be the only practical way to obtain information. The approach outlined in the document has been informed by previous consultation and it is supported by advice from the Disability and Carers Expert Advisory Group. Question 64 of the Disability Assistance consultation requests any further comments consultees wish to make relating to Disability Assistance not specifically covered by the consultation document. This question allows consultees to provide any comments on areas they have not had the opportunity to provide.

The Scottish Government is currently consulting on Short-term Assistance as part of the consultation on Disability Assistance.

We are holding discussions with COSLA and other stakeholders during the consultation period as we develop our policy proposals.

Question 64 of the Disability Assistance consultation requests any further comments consultees wish to make relating to Disability Assistance not specifically covered by the consultation document. This question allows consultees to provide any comments on areas they have not had the opportunity to provide.

(a) Information relating to fluctuating conditions is connected to the section on Duration of Awards and is covered within this area of the consultation document.

(b) We do not intend to change the rates of benefits for all forms of Disability Assistance and therefore are not asking any specific questions on this.

(c) We have set out in the section on Access to Accessible Vehicle Leases and Equipment that we intend to ensure that there will be an equivalent Scottish scheme in place in advance of the delivery of Disability Assistance. Based on the 2016 consultation we know that users of the current service are supportive of this approach. We therefore did not ask any specific questions on this.

(d) The rules on appointees are set out by The Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.

Social Security Scotland is under an obligation to protect public funds. When an allegation is made, there may be no way of knowing whether it has been done with malicious intent. All investigations will therefore be carried out under a presumption of innocence.

Where evidence gathered during an investigation shows there is substance to an allegation, an individual will always be given an opportunity to explain the circumstances before any further action is taken. A review of entitlement would only be undertaken if evidence suggested that it was necessary.

The Scottish Government will use feedback from the current Disability Assistance consultation to inform its approach to case transfers. The Scottish Government is undertaking specific consultation with the Experience Panels in relation to case transfers and will set out its approach in relation to each form of Disability Assistance in due course. This approach will seek to cause minimal disruption for clients and to balance the transfer of clients at pace with delivering their benefits safely and securely. We will honour award levels and durations of current awards to ensure that clients are not made to undergo unnecessary award reviews when their benefit transfers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-21923 on 13 March 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22069 on 26 March 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-22069 on 26 March 2019. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx .