DWP and Scottish Ministers Extend Carer Support Payment Agreements
Hannah Price
Key agreements governing Carer's Allowance and the Scottish Carer Support Payment have been updated, outlining continued cooperation between the UK and Scottish governments. These agreements ensure the ongoing administration of benefits for carers in Scotland.
- Agency and Service Level Agreements for Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment in Scotland have been updated.
- The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) continues to administer Carer's Allowance in Scotland under these arrangements.
- The Scottish Government pays a Carer's Allowance Supplement, facilitated by these agreements.
- Initial agency arrangements were established in 2017 to ensure a smooth transfer of welfare powers.
- The agreements were recently revised and extended, with the current duration set to conclude in March 2025.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Scottish ministers have extended agreements governing Carer's Allowance and the Carer Support Payment in Scotland, cementing a collaborative approach to welfare provision. The updated agency arrangements will continue to deliver vital support to carers across the country, with key operational processes and responsibilities refined to reflect ongoing devolution of powers.
First established at a Joint Ministerial Working Group for Welfare meeting on 20 February 2017, these agreements have been periodically revised to ensure continuity for beneficiaries during the transition. The current framework, set to run until March 2025, maintains consistency with UK-wide procedures and rules.
The Carer's Allowance Agency Agreement, version 6, remains responsible for administering Carer's Allowance for Scottish residents, using identical processes as those applied in England and Wales. A separate Service Level Agreement has been introduced specifically for the Carer Support Payment in Scotland, reflecting changes to devolved benefits.
The revisions incorporate operational updates, including acknowledgement of a Scottish Government amendment order to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act. These adjustments underscore the evolving nature of intergovernmental welfare administration and demonstrate the ongoing need for clear frameworks.
Why this matters: These agreements are fundamental to how carers in Scotland receive their essential benefits, ensuring that devolved welfare powers operate smoothly alongside UK-wide provisions. They highlight the ongoing cooperation between the UK and Scottish governments on critical social support programmes.
What this means for you: What this means for you: If you are a carer in Scotland, these agreements ensure the continued and coordinated delivery of your Carer's Allowance and the Carer's Allowance Supplement, providing stability in the administration of your benefits.