Carer Support Payment determination
Where their case has transferred, an individual’s Carer Support Payment (CSP) determination (called a “transfer determination”) is based on:
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the information Social Security Scotland receives from Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding the individual’s Carer’s Allowance award
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any other relevant information available to Social Security Scotland at the time of the determination
Carer Support Payment Regulations, Schedule 1, Part 2, regulation 5
A case manager will not typically review the Carer’s Allowance information before the CSP determination is made. This is an automatic process.
An individual will receive the same rate of CSP as they received for Carer’s Allowance immediately before transfer when their initial CSP determination is made (Schedule 1, Part 2, regulation 5(4)).
Example: Carer Support Payment entitlement equals Carer’s Allowance entitlement
Graham gets Carer’s Allowance at the full amount as this is not reduced by any overlapping benefit. His case is selected for transfer. When his CSP determination is made, he is entitled to get the full amount of CSP.
The CSP determination must not be made later than the period set out in the notice. The only exception to this rule is where Social Security Scotland has all of the following:
- good reason for extending this time frame
- agreed the length of the extension with the DWP
- notified the individual that the time frame has been extended and the reasons for doing so
Carer Support Payment Regulations, Schedule 1, Part 2, regulation 5(5).
Example: Extension of the period set out in the notice
Daisy’s Carer’s Allowance case is selected for transfer. The DWP send the relevant Carer’s Allowance information to Social Security Scotland. However, we need to clarify inconsistencies in the information received with Daisy before making a CSP determination. Social Security Scotland:
- believes the questions will not be answered within the period set out in the notice, therefore
- agrees with DWP an extended time period so the questions can be resolved
- writes to Daisy explaining the issue, that the notice period will be extended and letting her know when she can expect the process to finish