Carer’s Allowance and Carer Support Payment in Scotland

What are Carer's Allowance and Carer Support payment?

Carer’s Allowance is benefit paid to people who spend at least 35 hours per week caring for a person who receives a relevant disability benefit.  You can only make one claim for Carer’s Allowance, regardless of how many people you care for.

A similar benefit called Carer Support Payment is being introduced in Scotland to replace Carer’s Allowance . If you want to make a new claim as a carer and you live in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross or Western Isles you will now claim Carer Support Payment. New claims will be rolled out to the rest of Scotland later.

If you already receive Carer’s Allowance in Scotland  you will be moved on to Carer Support Payment between February 2024 and spring 2025. See Carer’s Allowance changes in Scotland – mygov.scot

To be able to claim, the person you are caring for must be in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits:-

  • the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment
  • the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
  • either the highest or the middle rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance
  • Child Disability Payment middle or highest rate care
  • Attendance Allowance
  • A high rate of Constant Attendance Allowance paid with the Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment

In addition, you must:

  • be caring for at least 35 hours per week for the person who is receiving a qualifying benefit
  • be aged 16 or over
  • for Carer’s Allowance, not in full-time education – though you can be in full-time education and receive Carer Support Payment 
  • not earning more than £139 a week (2023/2024) or £151.00 (2024/2025)
  • have been resident in Great Britain for a certain period of time
  • not be subject to immigration control.

How to claim

You can claim Carer’s Allowance online

You can find out how to claim Carer Support payment here Carer Support Payment – mygov.scot

How much might I get?

The rate of Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment is £76.75 a week in 2023/2024 and £81.90 in 2024/2025.  

Most people in Scotland who receive Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment are also entitled to 6 monthly payments of Carer’s Allowance  Supplement of £270.50 (2023/2024) orn£288.60 (2024/2025). 

If you receive Universal Credit, claiming Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment can affect the amount of Universal credit you are entitled to.

Other Benefits

By claiming Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment you may be entitled to additional amounts on means-tested benefits.  This can sometimes reduce the benefits of the person you care for , so always have a benefit check each before you claim Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment.  

 

Information last updated on 5 March 2024. Please note that information may be subject to change. All information is provided in good faith but Disability Information Scotland does not endorse any product or service referred to within this resource.

If you would like this information guide in another version then please contact us and we will post or email you a copy.

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