ALLIANCE response to the social security enhanced administration consultation
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 26th October 2022
The response recommends updating the basis of Scottish Child Payment, and maintaining distinction between independent scrutiny and advice.
The ALLIANCE have submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s ‘Scotland’s social security system: enhanced administration and compensation recovery’ consultation (this link will take you away from our website). In the consultation, the government sought views on administrative and technical aspects of the social security system, including how the Scottish Child Payment is administered, processes relating to re-determinations and overpayments, and the role of independent advice and scrutiny.
In our response, the ALLIANCE recommend that:
- The Scottish Child Payment should change from a “top-up” payment to one with its own statutory basis, allowing the Scottish Government greater flexibility in administering the payment.
- Individuals should be given more choice and control throughout the re-determination process, including the ability to withdraw a request for re-determination and to challenge any re-determinations arising from a Social Security Scotland error on the same basis as the initial determination.
- Where it is possible to do so without negative impact on payments, re-determinations arising from a Social Security Scotland error should be able to end a Tribunal process.
- Payments be made to DWP-agreed appointees on an interim basis whilst Social Security Scotland completes its own appointee process.
- Overpayment recovery processes should avoid formal legal proceedings where possible, and individuals should have the right to challenge liability for overpayments.
- Independent scrutiny and advice should continue to be provided by different bodies, recognising the distinct nature of these two functions and the possible conflict of interest that may arise if they were combined.
- Advice on Employment Injury Assistance should likewise be provided by a separate body.
You can read our full response via the links below.
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