Carer Support Payment
This is a new financial benefit (similar to Carer's Allowance) that is gradually becoming available across Scotland.
Are you entitled to Carer Support Payment?
This is extra money available to offer support with the costs of having caring responsibilities. You may be able to receive this payment – which is currently £81.90 per week – if you care for someone regularly and don't earn above a certain amount.
This is a new benefit that is only available for people looking after a friend or relative who lives in Scotland. It is currently being rolled out across the country so it's not yet available in all areas.
It may be possible for you to apply if you live in
- Perth & Kinross
- Dundee City
- Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)
- North and South Lanarkshire
- Angus
- Fife
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- North, East and South Ayrshire
Check if you can apply where you live.
If you are unable to apply for Carer Support Payment because of where you live, you may wish to look into the possibility of applying for Carer's Allowance instead. For a brief overview, watch the video below or see our online pages for more details.
Find out more about Carer Support Payment
If you already receive Carer's Allowance, you don't need to apply for Carer Support Payment. You will be moved over to the new benefit between February 2024 and spring 2025.
There will be no gap in payment as you are transferred from Carer's Allowance (managed by the DWP) to Carer Support Payment (managed by Social Security Scotland) and you won't need to do anything.
It is available to claim now if you live in these areas:
- Perth & Kinross
- Dundee City
- Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)
- North and South Lanarkshire
- Angus
- Fife
- Aberdeen
- Aberdeenshire
- Moray
- North, East and South Ayrshire
There is an expectation that it will be possible to apply for Carer Support Payment in all areas of Scotland by November 2024.
Keep an eye on the gov.scot website for the most up-to-date news.
Check if you can apply where you live.
There is a strong likelihood you will be able to claim Carer Support Payment if all the following apply:
- It is possible to apply in the area where you live in Scotland. Check here.
- The person you care for must be receiving a particular disability benefit (see next tab for a list).
- You are not already receiving Carer's Allowance. You can't claim both Carer Support Payment and Carer's Allowance at the same time.
- You’re 16 or older.
- You provide at least 35 hours of care to someone per week (this must be the same person).
- You can only apply for one person.
- You are not studying certain courses if aged between 16 and 19.
- You don't earn more than £139 per week from April 2023-March 2024 (after deductions including tax, National Insurance and certain expenses). Note that from 6 April 2024, this will change to £151 per week.
Carer Support Payment may affect certain other benefits you're receiving or the benefit that the person you care for is receiving so it's a good idea to see if it affects them before applying. Find out more about this on the mygov.scot website.
There are also certain residence and presence conditions to meet.
If you’re terminally ill, there are simpler rules you can follow which make it easier to apply.
One of the rules for being eligible is that the person you're looking after must receive one of the following benefits which are sometimes called 'qualifying benefits':
- the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance (either rate)
- the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate paid with the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- the middle or higher rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
- the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (Scotland).
You may also be able to get Carer's Allowance Supplement on top of this benefit and National Insurance credits.
Receiving Carer Support Payment could also lead to an increase in any means-tested benefits or tax credits you receive. Contact the offices that pay these benefits to find out more.
Alternatively, you might now find that you qualify for certain benefits for the first time. You can find out what benefits you’re entitled to and how much you should be getting by arranging a benefits check with one of our advisers. You can do so be requesting one by email at advice@carersuk.org
You can also look into carrying out an online benefits check by visiting either:
Whilst they can provide a helpful indication, it is important to note that sometimes these tools are not 100% accurate or suitable for everyone.