Where there is question over the eligibility of carers

During the process of contacting carers, we may get evidence that indicates that the original carer (Carer 1) is no longer eligible for support. For example, this could be because the carer no longer meets the 20 hour caring requirement of an additional cared for person for the Carer Additional Person Payment component of a Carer Support award. This could equally apply to the Carers Support Payment component.

In these circumstances we would firstly need to check if Carer 1 still meets the eligibility criteria for the Carer Additional Person Payment. If this shows they are no longer eligible, we would make a determination without application on the basis of this new evidence, and the award for Carer 1 should be ended. Carer Additional Person Payment could then be awarded to Carer 2 as part of their Carer Support award.   

Providing that the carer (Carer 2) has told us that they meet the eligibility criteria for Carer Additional Person Payment, entitlement would begin for Carer 2 on the first day of the benefit award week after entitlement has ended for Carer 1. When entitlement for Carer 1 should end in this situation would depend on when the evidence shows they stopped being eligible for Carer Additional Person Payment.

Where the evidence shows that Carer 1 was never eligible, this would indicate that the initial determination was made in error. This would mean that the effective date for the change to end the award, would be the beginning of the award week in which the original determination was made.  

Where the evidence shows the change in eligibility happened in the past but the carer had previously been eligible, it may be that Carer 1 has knowingly failed to notify us of a change or failed to notify us as soon as reasonably practicable. If this is the case, the award for Carer 2 should take effect from the award week after Carer 1 should have notified Social Security Scotland about the change.

Where Carer 1 remains eligible but the evidence shows that Carer 2 is not, a determination of Carer 2’s Carer Support would be carried out to deny the application and entitlement would remain with Carer 1.