Carers Support Payment Scotland. Hi I’m new here. I’ve been a carer for nearly 26 years for my now adult daughter but haven’t claimed carers allowance until now as I’ve earned over the threshold. I reduced my hours in December and applied for Carers Support Payment as I live in Dundee and we are in the pilot area for new new Social Security Scotland Carers Support Payment which is instead of Carers Allowance in my area. It’s now 10 weeks since I applied and over 3 months since I reduced my working hours to 5 a week and I’ve still not had any correspondence from them. I’ve phoned about 6 times and have been asked to supply evidence of my Private Pension. But no one has actually phoned me. It’s been escalated about 2 weeks ago. They have me now having to take out savings to live as I can’t go and earn more money or I’ll not be entitled to the carers support payment. It’s frustrating. Has anyone else has experience of this new Benefit in Tayside and the Western isles ? I’ve been in touch with the Citizens Advice Bureau. Next step is to contact my MSP.
Hi @Barnsue,
welcome to the forum.
What a desperate situation - seems they expect you to survive on fresh air.
You could also email the Carers Uk helpline for advice on advice@carersuk.org at any time.
Hi.
Sad to say this is not unusual. I live in the wee county, so not that far away. My application went in last December, and it was May before anyone got in touch. I had to write to the social justice secretary to force their hand. Any time I called, I sat in a queue for 25-35 minutes, only to be told, “We’re busy. You’ll just have to wait.”
I too had to send details of my pension, but still had to chase it.
I finally got my decision in late May this year following my interaction with the social justice secretary.
What I was told by a manager in the service was, the move from DWP to Social Security Scotland has been shambolic, the software systems unfit for purpose. This has impacted new claims, because the emphasis has been on making sure existing claimants face as little hardship as possible.
Hi
Well done you getting in touch with the Social Justice secretary. I had no idea where to turn to. Citizens advice said they would help me complain but I think I that was just to SSS .
It was so stressful as couldn’t risk earning more while waiting to get my benefit so had to cash in a small pension I had been saving for as was short of money.
I’m glad you got yours too in the end.
Susan
I had previously complained to SSS, and was told by a very nice chap that complaints go to what is essentially a PR team who have no control over or responsibility for teams dealing with claimants. His apology was basically a pat on the head and a “there, there” to appease me.
Didn’t work.
It’s just sh1t what we have to put up with. Bad enough being kept on the poverty line regarding allowed earnings. At least they have increased the earnings threshold recently