Copyright dailyrecord
Around 118,000 unpaid carers who were receiving Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have now 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 for people living north of the border. Since the formation of Social Security Scotland in 2018, the Scottish Government has delivered more financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland under a welfare 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 among the plans. Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville 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.” Subject to Parliamentary approval, from March next year carers may be eligible to receive Carer Support, a new benefit combining three components: Other changes proposed include: Information on the improvements for carers can be found in the Carer’s Assistance (Miscellaneous and Consequential Amendments, Revocation, Transitional and Saving Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2025, here.
