MINISTERIAL STATEMENT: SOCIAL SECURITY – COVID-19
On Wednesday, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security updated Parliament on the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on social security services in Scotland.
The Scottish Government, DWP, local authorities and health and social care practitioners – who are all required to develop and deliver these benefits – are currently focused on the response and recovery from COVID-19.
As a result,the introduction of Child Disability Payment and the Scottish Government’s replacement for Personal Independence Payments will be delayed. UK Ministers have agreed that they will continue to deliver disability benefits to Scottish clients over a longer transition period.
Social Security Secretary Shirley Anne Somerville said:
“Our priority is maintaining our front-line services and delivering the seven benefits we have in place to support low income families, carers and people facing a bereavement.
“As such, I have had to take the difficult decision to halt the introduction of disability benefits that were due within the coming year. These will continue to be delivered by the UK Government. This is the only way to ensure people continue to get the financial support they need. It provides certainty and security of payment at a time of great anxiety.”
