An Introduction to Social Security Scotland Carol Tugman Local Delivery Relationship Lead 9th January 2019

The Essential Elements Dignity, Fairness and Respect Establishing a new social security agency. Taking an approach which has a safe and secure transition at its heart. 8 Key Principles within the Act – generally focussing on social security is a human right and designed by the People of Scotland Devolving c.£2.8bn of benefits from the UK Government to the Scottish Government under the Scotland Act 2016. (15% of the overall Benefits) The power to create new benefits. The power to ‘top-up’ UK benefits These benefits are for people on low incomes, disabled people and carers.

SCOTLAND’S LOCAL DELIVERY SERVICE Will ensure that people can speak with a Social Security Scotland member of staff face to face, regardless of where they live in Scotland Will provide advice for clients on eligibility for Devolved Benefits and offer support for people to make applications, verify ID and request re-determinations Staff will co-locate with partner organisations and be based in locations such as council buildings, health settings, advice and support hubs and other community service points as well as provide outreach and home or hospital visits where required. The Service will be Digital by choice, allowing Clients to apply by whichever method best suits them – on line, over the phone, paper form

Local Delivery Leads West of Scotland East of Scotland Argyll & Bute Collette Bryson Aberdeen City Lisa Buchan Dumfries & Galloway Yvonne Stewart Aberdeenshire East Ayrshire Caroline Scott Angus Claire Taylor East Dunbartonshire Lindsay Geddes Clackmannanshire Gillian Winters East Renfrewshire Alun Parry Dundee Lyndsey Maricic Glasgow City Lorraine Harris East Lothian David Gibb Highlands Catherine Graham Edinburgh City Melanie Nairn Inverclyde Sharon Collins Falkirk Na h-Eileanan Siar Joan Muir Fife North Ayrshire Midlothian Carol Tugman North Lanarkshire Jacqueline Brown Moray Renfrewshire Orkney Fiona Boubert South Ayrshire Perth & Kinross South Lanarkshire Fiona McCormack Scottish Borders Stirling Shetland Islands West Dunbartonshire Colette Bryson West Lothian

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Firstly, the Pregnancy and Baby Payment Firstly, the Pregnancy and Baby Payment. This payment will be £600 for a first child or £300 for any subsequent child. If there is a multiple birth, the family will receive an additional £300 payment. This payment will help with expenses in pregnancy or of having a new child, for example maternity clothing, a pram or additional heating. It can be claimed from 24 weeks of pregnancy up to 6 months after the birth. We hope that this longer payment window will enable more families to apply. Secondly, the Early Learning Payment, which will provide £250 per child. This payment is intended to help with costs during nursery and early learning years that support child development, for example travel costs, days out or toys for home learning. It will be available for children aged 2-3½. And finally, the School Age Payment, which will provide £250 per child. This payment will help with the costs of preparing for school, for example a school bag, educational toys, after school activities, or the cost of school trips. Children will be eligible from the beginning of June in the year they start school to end of February the following year.

Eligibility for Best Start Grant Payments The application is received in the application window No payment of a Sure Start Maternity Grant or Best Start Grant has been made for that child The applicant is ordinarily resident in Scotland The applicant is, is the partner of or has someone dependant on them who is more than 24 weeks pregnant or meets the test of responsibility for the child (receives Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit child element or has a court order) The applicant is on a qualifying benefit, is under 18 or 18 or 19, in full time education and still dependant on their parent or carer The child is not in residential or foster care

Some Useful Links Experience Panel Publications - The Experience Panel section is about half way down this page, then scroll further to get the links to all the individual publications https://www.gov.scot/policies/social-security/engagement-on-social-security/ The Social Security Scotland Interim Corporate Plan sets out the intentions of the Agency and some of the work that has already taken place: https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/what- we-do/corporate-plan The Social Security Scotland Website gives general information about the Agency as well as contact details and the Freephone number: https://www.socialsecurity.gov.scot/ You can access the toolkit through the following link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vHQ4Lv0OE6WOvIv3P0UfE22wj8Y3kF3Y/view?usp=sharing

LOCAL DELIVERY RELATIONSHIP LEAD CAROL TUGMAN LOCAL DELIVERY RELATIONSHIP LEAD Telephone : 07341793596 Any Questions? Email: Carol.Tugman@gov.scot