Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 135
135
Throughout the inquiry we heard evidence that there were a number of barriers that were...
Conclusion
Throughout the inquiry we heard evidence that there were a number of barriers that were preventing claimants from accessing the options provided by Scottish Choices: • Lack of awareness of the Choices. • The wait for Scottish Choices to be available. • Hampering of uptake due to initial administrative errors. 325 Scottish Government, Universal Credit: Scottish Choices, 2019 326 Citizens Advice Scotland (WPS0014) 327 Q56 328 Q85 329 Engender (WPS0016) 330 Data from Stat-Xplore on Department for Work and Pensions, Statistics at DWP Welfare policy in Scotland 49 • Issues related to when and how the Choices are discussed with claimants. We discuss the evidence we received on each in turn. Lack of awareness of Choices
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
The Scottish Government’s current policy is to offer Scottish Choices in the second assessment period. This allows time, in the first assessment period, to consider DWP Alternative Payment Arrangement, for more frequent payments and managed payments to landlords to protect vulnerable people who are at risk of not paying their rent. Social landlords are also able to request a DWP Alternative Payment Arrangement from day one, if they believe their tenants are vulnerable. Scottish Choices do not replace the need for DWP Alternative Payment Arrangements. Claimants can opt in or out of a Scottish Choice at any time. Only DWP agents can review Alternative Payment Arrangements, ensuring housing costs continue to be paid directly to the landlord, for those who may otherwise choose not to pay them.