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

2. 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 (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.

3. 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

4. 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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8. 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.

9. 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

13. 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
The Social Security Scotland Interim Corporate Plan sets out the intentions of the Agency and some of the work that has already taken place: we-do/corporate-plan
The Social Security Scotland Website gives general information about the Agency as well as contact details and the Freephone number:
You can access the toolkit through the following link:

14. LOCAL DELIVERY RELATIONSHIP LEAD
CAROL TUGMAN
LOCAL DELIVERY RELATIONSHIP LEAD
Telephone :
Any Questions?