Around 118,000 unpaid carers who were receiving Carer's Allowance
have had their benefit awards safely and securely transferred to
Social Security Scotland's Carer Support Payment.
Carer Support Payment began rolling out across Scotland in
November 2023 to replace Carer's Allowance delivered by the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Since the formation of Social Security Scotland in 2018, the
Scottish Government has delivered more financial support for
unpaid carers in Scotland under a very different social security
system, rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.
Carer's Allowance Supplement provides up to £587 a year while
Young Carer Grant offers over £390 each year to carers aged 16-18
years. These payments are only available in Scotland.
Carer Support Payment has also been extended to enable more
carers in full time education to access the payment.
Further improvements to carer benefits in Scotland are planned
within the next six months. This includes extension of Young
Carer Grant to 19-year-olds and a new payment worth up to £520 a
year for carers who are caring for more than one
person.
Extending eligibility for financial support following the death
of the cared-for person from 8 to 12 weeks is also amongst the
plans.
Social Justice Secretary, said:
“We are supporting over 126,000 unpaid carers in Scotland through
devolved carer benefits, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to
improving social security, under a kinder system that treats
people with dignity and respect.
“It was always our intention that once carers' benefits had
successfully transferred to Carer Support Payment, we'd deliver
even more changes to help make a difference to carers'
lives.
“Unpaid carers make a huge contribution within our communities
and I'm proud to be able to improve the financial support
available to them in Scotland.”
Background
Information on the improvements for carers can be found
at: The Carer's Assistance
(Miscellaneous and Consequential Amendments, Revocation,
Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations
2025
The ‘case transfer' process, which provides for the transfer of
Carer's Allowance awards for carers in Scotland from the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) onto Carer Support Payment
administered by Social Security Scotland, began in February 2024
and is now complete.
The most recent client survey on the
experiences of the case transfer process, published in September
this year, found that more than three quarters of those who had
their award transferred to Carer Support Payment:
- rated their overall experience with Social Security Scotland
as either ‘very good' or ‘good'.
- told us that their communication from Social Security
Scotland was clear, easy to understand and had a friendly
tone.
- felt informed about the case transfer process.
Subject to Parliamentary approval, carers from March next year
may be eligible to receive Carer Support, a new benefit combining
three components:
Carer Support Payment – the Scottish
equivalent of Carer's Allowance (£83.30 per week)
Scottish Carer Supplement – replaces
Carer's Allowance Supplement, an extra, more regular payment for
carers in Scotland receiving Carer Support Payment (£11.29 per
week)
Carer Additional Person Payment – an extra
payment of £520 per year, paid weekly, available to people caring
for more than one person. Carers may be eligible for more than
one Carer Additional Person Payment if they are caring for more
than one additional person.
Other changes proposed include:
Extending eligibility for the Young Carer Grant to 19-year-olds
from November
Extending eligibility for Carer Support following the death of
the cared-for person from 8 to 12 weeks.
Removing the requirement for carers to have cared for a certain
period before they can continue to get support, when they have a
temporary break from caring
To find out more on the social security support for unpaid carers
visit mygov.scot/carers
Information on other support, such as financial support,
wellbeing support and short breaks from caring, can be found
at Help if
you're a carer - mygov.scot
