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Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. If you look after someone who is disabled or who has a long-term health condition, you may be entitled.
Carer Support Payment is paid at the same rate as Carer’s Allowance - this is currently £83.30 per week or £360.96 every four weeks.
Who can apply?
If you do not already receive Carer’s Allowance, you must:
· be 16 or over;
· usually live in Scotland;
· provide care for 35 hours or more a week, this includes if you provide care all day every day; and
· not earn more than £196 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses.
The person you care for must be in receipt of certain disability benefits (qualifying benefits).
Students must meet some other conditions. Find out more about the conditions that students must meet.
If you get State Pension or certain other benefits, you’ll get less Carer Support Payment or none at all. Read more about what happens if you get other benefits.
What if I already receive Carer’s Allowance?
You do not need to apply for Carer Support Payment. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland will move your benefit for you.
The amount you get will stay the same. If you get Carer’s Allowance Supplement, you’ll still get payments twice a year. Before you move to Carer Support Payment, Social Security Scotland will write to tell you how your payments will work and when you’ll get them.
If you're aged 16 to 18
If you provide care for 16 hours a week on average, you may be able to get Young Carer Grant. You can apply for Young Carer Grant before Carer Support Payment. If you're already getting Carer Support Payment, you will not be able to get Young Carer Grant.
Will other benefits be affected?
If you get means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Carer Support Payment may affect the amount you receive.
The disability benefits of the person you care for should not be affected.
How do I apply?
You can apply:
- online - by completing an online application form
- by phone - by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
- by post - you can get a paper form on mygov.scot. You can also ask for a paper form with a prepaid envelope by phone.
If you have any questions about the move or how the move may affect the support you receive, please get in touch with Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. We are also here to help - call us on 0141 560 6000.
What are the qualifying benefits?
The person you're caring for must get one of the following benefits, called 'qualifying benefits':
- the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment
- the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- the middle or highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment
- the middle or highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- the middle or highest rate of the care component of Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance - at or above the normal maximum rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- Constant Attendance Allowance - at or above the basic (full-day) rate with a War Disablement Pension.
