From today, carers on Carers Support Payment will be able to earn £196 per week without losing your entitlement.
This is an increase of £45 per week, and will enable more carers to balance work and care.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/3XLCZVh
More unpaid carers in Scotland could benefit from financial support as a key change in eligibility rules comes into effect from 6 April 2025.
The earnings limit for Carer Support Payment will increase from £151 to £196 a week. This means that a carer can earn £45 more a week, after tax, National Insurance and certain expenses, and be eligible for the payment.
The change could mean carers already receiving Carer Support Payment will be able to undertake more paid work and still receive the payment. In addition, many carers earning a take home pay of £10,192 or less a year, who were previously unable to access the additional support could now be eligible.
To receive Carer Support Payment of £83.30 a week, carers also need to be providing 35 hours or more of care a week to someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit.
Carer Support Payment is replacing Carer’s Allowance in Scotland, delivered by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government proposed back in 2022 to raise the earnings limit for Carer Support Payment once fully launched. This was on the back of strong feedback from carers and support organisations that the previous limit was set too low.
“The increase puts the earnings limit at a level which equates to 16 hours at the national living wage. Alongside other improvements we have made, this should help more carers to balance paid work with caring and provide more stable financial support.
“The Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring everyone gets the financial support they’re entitled to, despite the UK Government’s recent announcement on changes to welfare.”
Fiona Collie, Head of Public Affairs and Communication at Carers Scotland said: “Carers Scotland welcomes the increase in the earnings threshold to £196 which will support more unpaid carers to earn more from paid employment alongside their Carer Support Payment. This change will also enable more carers to claim Carer Support Payment.
The new threshold amount applies once a carer has taken away deductions for tax, national insurance and half of any pension contribution. Carers may also be able to deduct some of the costs to provide care whilst you are working.
We would encourage all carers in employment or who are thinking about returning to employment to find out more about Carer Support Payment and the earnings threshold from Social Security Scotland or their local carers centre or advice agency.”
Carer Support Payment is a payment of £83.30 a week from 6 April 2025 and is available to carers who are aged 16 or over and who provide unpaid care for 35 hours or more a week to someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit.
Carers need to earn £151 a week (increasing to £196 a week from 6 April 2025) or less after tax, National Insurance and certain expenses. The earnings limit for carers in Scotland who are getting Carer’s Allowance will also increase to £196.
Carers getting Carer’s Allowance in Scotland will have their benefits transferred automatically to Carer Support Payment. This process is due to complete this spring.
There are around 80,000 unpaid carers in Scotland. Tomorrow, many of these Scots will see £288.60 deposited into their bank accounts. This payment is part of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, and up to 30,000 carers who were not previously eligible could now be amongst those entitled to the support, thanks to crucial changes to the Scottish system which took place just last month.
To help carers navigate the complex system correctly, Suzanne Bourne – Head of Carer Support at the UK’s largest community of unpaid carers, Mobilise – explains more. Her advice below covers what the Carer’s Allowance Supplement is, how to check if you’re eligible and what to do if you think you’ve missed out on support you’re entitled to:
What is Carer’s Allowance Supplement?
Carer’s Allowance Supplement is worth £577.20 in total, and is split into two twice-yearly payments of £288.60. Eligible carers should have received the first of these payments on 7 June 2024. The second payment is due on Friday 6 December 2024.
The supplement isn’t new. But rules surrounding a different benefit, which determines whether or not people receive the supplement, changed just last month.
In November, the Carer Support Payment was introduced to replace Carer’s Allowance for carers living in Scotland. Carers who receive the Carer Support Payment are automatically paid the £288.60 Carer’s Allowance Supplement.
And, thanks to the recent rule changes, both forms of financial support are now available to many more of Scotland’s 30,000 young carers.
Who is eligible?
Carers who received either Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment on 7th October should automatically get the £288.60 supplement on 6th December.
To be eligible for the Carer Support Payment you must be:
If you’re due to receive the supplement, you’ll get a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made. If you do not get a letter or payment by 16 December 2024 but believe you are eligible, contact Social Security Scotland.
Who needs to be careful?
In particular, given the recent rule changes, young carers should seek help from Social Security Scotland if they believe they are missing out on vital financial support which they are entitled to.
All carers should also be aware of the upper earnings limit trip hazards. The threshold for Carer’s Allowance – which is still in place for carers in England and Wales – increased to £181 a week following the recent Budget. For Scottish carers, the earnings limit is still £151 a week.
So make sure your earnings are within the limit where you live, and update Social Security Scotland if your situation changes. Especially since this threshold is the source of the ongoing ‘overpayments’ scandal, whereby hardworking carers are having to pay back their benefits.
How can I check if I’m eligible?
If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria for Carer Support Payment – and, in-turn, the Carer’s Allowance Supplement – you can check using the government’s free eligibility checker tool.
How can I apply?
Applications for Carer Support Payment are now open Scotland-wide. If you’re eligible you can apply online, by phone, by post, or in-person. See the government’s website for full details.
Receiving Carer Support Payment Carer’s Allowance Supplement may affect any other benefits you receive, or the benefits of the person you look after. So it’s important to be aware and seek additional guidance from Social Security Scotland before you apply if you are concerned.
What additional support is available?
There are a number of other forms of financial support on offer for those who look after loved ones. Some of these benefits can be claimed instead of the Carer Support Payment and supplement, for those not eligible, and some can be claimed in addition. These benefits include:
For more advice and guidance on the financial support available to unpaid carers, you can find detailed information or speak to a carer support expert via the Mobilise website.
As of 4 November, Carer Support Payment is available in every local authority area in Scotland. We introduced the payment in phases from November 2023 and are delighted it is now available across Scotland.
Carer Support Payment is money to help unpaid carers providing 35 or more hours of care a week to someone who gets disability benefits. The payment is £81.90 per week.
Carers in Scotland who already get Carer’s Allowance will have their benefits automatically transferred to Carer Support Payment with no gap in entitlement. Social Security Scotland will write to people in advance to let them know that their award will be moving.
We are planning an awareness-raising campaign in early 2025 to support take-up of the benefit .
More information on eligibility and how to apply is available at mygov.scot/carer-support-payment.
Free stakeholder resources are available on our website to share with your networks and help us promote the payment to people who may be eligible. Please download them and share across your networks and channels.
The next Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment of £288.60 will be paid on Friday 6 December to eligible carers who were paid Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance on 7 October 2024.
We will write to eligible carers in advance, so they know when to expect the payment. If carers have not received the payment or heard from us by 16 December 2024, they should call us free on 0800 182 2222.
More information is available on our website.
Tens of thousands more unpaid carers in Scotland can apply for a new benefit from today (4 November).
Carer Support Payment, which is a payment of £81.90 per week paid by Social Security Scotland, has been introduced in phases since November 2023.
It has been extended to people living in 19 more local authority areas including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Orkney and the Scottish Borders.
It is now available in every local authority in the country, marking the completion of the roll-out of Scotland’s 14th benefit.
It is for unpaid carers who provide 35 or more hours of care a week to someone who gets disability benefits. Carer Support Payment, is the replacement in Scotland for Carer’s Allowance which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Unlike Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment is available to some carers in education. This includes full-time students aged 20 or over and students under 20 who are in advanced or higher education.
In June, eligibility was extended to carers aged 16-19 in non-advanced education. This includes those studying for National Certificates, Highers and Advanced Highers, who meet certain criteria, for example, not having any parental support.
As part of the roll out, new backdating rules were introduced meaning that some carers – mostly full-time students – living in the new areas can apply to have their payments backdated to when Carer Support Payment was introduced.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The importance of the role of unpaid carers should not be underestimated. Their work is vital to the people they look after and to society as a whole.
“I am delighted that Carer Support Payment is now available in every local authority in Scotland. Many students will now be able to get this financial support for the first time, thanks to changes made by the Scottish Government.
“I urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible to find out more.”
According to Carers Trust Scotland, it is estimated that there are around 35,000 unpaid carers attending college or university in Scotland. Paul Traynor,
Head of External Affairs at Carers Trust Scotland, welcomes the national roll out. He said: “The immense contribution of unpaid carers to society cannot be understated, providing vital caring roles to their family and friends, and helping to hold society together.
“Over 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland are living in poverty and we hear all too often of the financial pressures of juggling studying and caring, where supplementing their income through employment is extremely challenging or not possible. Research highlights that student carers can be up to four times more likely to drop out of college or university and financial struggles are often one of the key reasons for this.
“The national roll out of Carer Support Payment will help make a significant difference to many carers’ lives and support more student carers to remain and succeed in education.”
Carer Support Payment opened for new applications in further areas on 4 November.
Unpaid carers in Argyll & Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries & Galloway, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, Edinburgh, Falkirk, Glasgow, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Orkney Islands, Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders, Shetland Islands, Stirling, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian can now apply.
Carers can find out more, and apply at https://www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment
Retail trade union Usdaw has a delegation of members, reps and officials attending the annual Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) Women’s Conference in Glasgow on 23 and 24 October.
Usdaw is seeking to address the under-representation of women in policy and decision making, along with more support for women carers.
Ruth Cross – Usdaw equalities officer says: “Women remain under-represented in political spaces, in peace processes and in all of Scotland’s democratic bodies.
“There are multiple barriers to women accessing politics, particularly Black women, disabled women and LGBT+ women. Women make up 52% of the Scottish population and should be equally represented in our democratic bodies and our movement, but gender parity is far from becoming a reality. Women hold 37% of seats in the Scottish Parliament, 24% of seats in local council chambers and only 36% of public board places. Women are under-represented in politics.
“There are welcome examples of positive progress for women’s representation in Scotland in recent years, but we need to guard against regression and take bold action to make sure progress is sustained in the future. Sexism, misogyny and violence violate women’s right to participate equally in political and public life. Attacks on women in public life are also increasing and more women are withdrawing from public life as a result.
“Evidence shows women bring lived experience to political decision making, resulting in decisions that address violence, human rights abuses and promote more equal access to resources and services. Increased representation for women in politics has a positive impact on both gender equality issues and social policy more broadly. We need to fully integrate women into all our political and union structures and address our specific policy concerns.
“Usdaw is asking conference delegates to support our call on the STUC Women’s Committee to press the STUC and Scottish Government, local authorities, public bodies and political parties to take all steps to create an inclusive and supportive environment for all women and to continue to be vigilant about ensuring women are accurately represented in every aspect of public and political life.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says: “There is evidence that providing care impacts on almost every aspect of women’s daily lives, decision making and financial circumstances.
“In Scotland, over half of women carers have said that their physical health has been negatively affected as a result of their caring role and a shocking 81% feel stressed or anxious because of their role. Yet their care responsibilities and the effort required to make themselves available to do their jobs is frequently invisible to or ignored by employers.
“The recent scandal surrounding the recovery of overpaid Carer’s Allowance has brought to light the systemic way in which social security is failing carers, although we are pleased that our new Labour Government has moved swiftly by setting up a review to address issues faced by carers.
“The problems with Carer’s Allowance are replicated in the relatively new Carer Payment which is being rolled out in Scotland. “As it currently stands, Carer’s Allowance is deepening women’s poverty and contributing to their ongoing inequality. The processes currently in place to rectify overpayments cause lasting harm and distress.
“Due to this lack of recognition and support, women carers are often compelled to reduce hours of work, take unpaid or sick leave or give up work altogether. This has a knock-on effect on income, resulting in a higher poverty rate for carers than those without a caring role.”
Usdaw is calling on the Scottish Government to:
28% unpaid carers across Scotland live in poverty, with 1 in 12 in deep poverty
New research finds that unpaid carers in Scotland are significantly more likely to experience financial hardship compared to those who do not provide unpaid care. The report by WPI Economics for Carers UK, funded by arbdn Financial Fairness Trust, explores the drivers and extent of poverty amongst unpaid carers in Scotland, finding that 28% are living in poverty, with 8% classed as being in “deep poverty”.
One of the main drivers of poverty highlighted in the report is the difficulty unpaid carers have combining paid work with their caring role. Many unpaid carers have to give up their careers or reduce their working hours as a result of their unpaid caring responsibilities, which can result in a loss of income and their ability to accumulate savings and pensions.
Other drivers of carer poverty include high housing costs, lack of support and access to social care services and the inadequacy of social security.
Fiona Collie, Head of Public Affairs and Communications for Carers Scotland, said: “It’s deeply disturbing and shocking to hear that as many as 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland are living in poverty.
“Every day across the country, the care they provide helps to hold society together, and too many are finding themselves in precarious financial positions as a result. Relatively small increases to support can have a big impact on carers’ lives and lift many thousands out of poverty.
“Many carers face huge challenges juggling paid work and unpaid care. We need better support for carers in paid work, and to see visible change for those facing high costs linked to caring by the planned National Care Service meeting the needs of unpaid carers and supports them to continue with paid work, where they are able to combine this with their caring role.
“Carers who are struggling financially, caring for more hours, and caring over a longer period of time are under immense pressure. They urgently need proper support, new rights and legal protections to ensure that they are not penalised as a result of their caring role.”
Vivienne Jackson, Programme Manager at abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, said: “The care system would collapse without the vital people who provide unpaid care.
“It’s not right that those who provide essential services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society are living in poverty. Government and employers need to work together to help lift carers out of poverty.”
Carers Scotland is now calling on the both the UK and Scottish Governments to act on the detailed recommendations laid out in the report, including committing to reviewing Carer Support Payment to increase its low value, reducing complexity and to increasing carer top-ups for those on means tested benefits such as Universal Credit.
The Scottish Government must also continue to develop and deliver its commitment to pilot a minimum income guarantee for unpaid carers in Scotland
The charity also wants to see better support for carers who might be able to combine paid work with unpaid care, including increasing the earnings threshold in Carer Support Payment to 21 hours at the National Living Wage.
Thousands of unpaid carers in Scotland can apply for a new benefit from today. Carer Support Payment, the replacement for Carer’s Allowance, is now available in Angus and North and South Lanarkshire.
Carers living in these areas are the first to be able to apply for Carer Support Payment since it was introduced in the pilot areas of Perth & Kinross, Dundee City and Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) in November 2023.
New rules that come into effect today also mean the benefit, paid by Social Security Scotland, is available to more student carers.
Since its introduction, the benefit has been available to carers aged 16-19 in full-time “advanced” education, carers over 20 in full-time education at any level, as well as carers in part-time education.
However, from today, some 16-19-year-old carers in full-time “non-advanced” education, such as school, are also eligible for Carer Support Payment.
In addition, some carers – mostly full-time students – can now have their benefit payments backdated to when Carer Support Payment was first introduced.
The benefit will be rolled out to more local authorities in the next few months and will be available in all of Scotland from 4 November.
Carers who live in areas where Carer Support Payment is not yet available are urged to apply for Carer’s Allowance to make sure they don’t miss out on support.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “I’m delighted that more carers in Scotland can now get Carer Support Payment and I urge every carer who is eligible for the benefit to apply as soon as possible.
“I also encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible to check if they can apply. This includes students studying full-time who are not eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
“The work unpaid carers do is invaluable and I want every carer to get the money they are entitled to.”
Keira Carruthers, 18, will be one of those applying for Carer Support Payment. The Blantyre woman, who has been looking after her dad since she was 13, is due to start an HNC in August.
She said: “People really underestimate how hard it is to be a young carer. Caring for my dad can be difficult if he’s down with an illness or having a bad day.
“Sometimes it’s full-blown medical issues but other days it’s keeping him company and keeping him occupied. Being a young carer while balancing my studies is a full-time job.
“It’s really important that young people, who look after someone, get support while they’re studying. I’ll definitely be applying for Carer Support Payment.”
Carer Support Payment opens for new applications today, 24 June, in Angus, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire.
From 19 August, it will be available in Fife, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and North, East and South Ayrshire.
It will be available in the rest of Scotland from 4 November.
Carers can use the postcode checker to see if Carer Support Payment is available in their area. postcodecheck.socialsecurity.gov.scot.
Carers can also find out more, and apply at https://www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment
Thousands more unpaid carers in Scotland will be eligible for a new benefit, if regulations laid this week in the Scottish Parliament are approved.
Carer Support Payment is the replacement for Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. It was first launched in November 2023 in three pilot areas, Perth & Kinross, Dundee City and Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles).
It will be available in 10 new local authority areas this summer as part of the next phase of the roll-out, starting with North and South Lanarkshire and Angus on 24 June. From August it will extend to Fife, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, and North, East and South Ayrshire and be available in the rest of Scotland in November.
Eligible carers who live in areas where Carer Support Payment is not yet available are still being urged to still apply for Carer’s Allowance to make sure they don’t miss out on support.
Since it launched Carer Support Payment, unlike Carer’s Allowance, is also available to carers aged 16-19 in full-time “advanced” education and carers aged over 20 in full-time education at any level.
These regulations will see eligibility further extended to some 16-19-year-old carers in full-time “non-advanced” education, such as school, from 24 June.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Unpaid carers provide a huge amount of physical, mental and emotional support. The work they do is invaluable, both to the people they care for and to Scottish society as a whole.
“I am therefore delighted we are ready to roll-out the next phase of Carer Support Payment, allowing thousands more unpaid carers to get the benefit
“This is particularly important for those who aren’t eligible for Carer’s Allowance, but are eligible for Carer Support Payment, including many full-time students.
“Having spoken to carers in the pilot areas, I know Carer Support Payment is not only providing financial support to students who couldn’t get it before, but it’s allowing carers to study full-time who never thought this would be possible.
“I urge anyone who lives in an area where Carer Support Payment is available to apply for it as soon as possible.”
Work to transfer the awards of people in Scotland from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment has begun.
Carer’s Allowance, paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is being replaced by Carer Support Payment paid by Social Security Scotland.
The transfer from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment will happen gradually with all awards expected to be transferred by Spring 2025.
People do not need to do anything as their award will transfer automatically. The amount they receive will not change.
Both the DWP and Social Security Scotland will write to people in advance to let them know that their award will be transferring.
Carers should continue to report any changes in their circumstances to the DWP until they receive a letter from Social Security Scotland telling them their award has transferred.
Carer Support Payment provides £76.75 a week to eligible carers. The benefit is available to new applicants in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles.
Carers who live outside of those areas can apply for Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Carer Support Payment will be available in more areas from later in 2024 and across Scotland by Autumn 2024.
More information is available at mygov.scot/carer-support-payment.
