Published 03 December 2024
Payments to people in receipt of benefits will be protected from inflation after the Scottish Parliament passed the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill today.
The new Act places a legal obligation on Scottish Ministers to annually increase all benefits delivered under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 in line with inflation. This action will help to protect the real terms value of payments such as the Best Start Grants and winter heating payments as prices rise in the economy.
The legislation will also enhance the rights of Social Security Scotland clients in a number of ways:
- A right to late re-determinations and appeals in exceptional circumstances
- The right to withdraw a request for redetermination
- The right to challenge a decision that someone is liable in a situation where an overpayment has been made
It will also continue to enhance the design of the system, maximising choice for those who use it while delivering good value for money.
Background
The Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
