Kinship Carers Deserve Fair Benefit Support

Banff and Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has asked for the UK Government to support kinship carers by amending benefit rules. Kinship carers now receive support payments across Scotland – with payments set to reach the same level as foster carers. Current UK benefit rules do not properly recognise Kinship carers and payments made to kinship carers can be deducted from benefits. Mr Stevenson commented:

“It is ridiculous that efforts to help and support Kinship carers are damaged by UK Government benefit rules. The prospect of payments for care being docked because of out of date benefit rules is ridiculous.

"The SNP Government working with local authorities has seen the first steps taken toward treating kinship carers with the respect they deserve for the essential service they provide - but without action to change the benefits rules the Scottish Government and local authorities have one hand tied behind their back. This is a prime example of the need for greater control in Scotland of benefits paid out in
Scotland.”