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. It is being introduced in some areas of Scotland earlier than others. If it isn’t yet introduced in your area, then you can apply for Carer’s Allowance instead.
To find out if Carer Support Payment has been introduced in your area, you can use Social Security Scotland’s postcode checker here: postcodecheck.socialsecurity.gov.scot
From 4th November 2024 no-one in Scotland will be able to make a new claim for Carer’s Allowance, they will claim Carer Support payment instead.
If you already receive Carer’s Allowance in Scotland you will be moved on to Carer Support Payment by 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 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
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 £151.00 a week (2024/2025) after expenses
- 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 £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 £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 in claims for means-tested benefits. Claiming Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment can also reduce the benefits of the person you care for , so always have a benefit check each before you make a claim.
You can check your benefit entitlements on the Turn2us website here Turn2us Benefits Calculator
Information last updated on 1 August 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.
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