Carer Support Payment (Scotland) - What is Carer Support Payment?

Carer Support Payment is money for people in Scotland who spend at least 35 hours a week providing regular care to someone who has a disability.  

Applications are open and available only in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross, and Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) for now.

From February 2024, Carer's Allowance claimants in Scotland will be moved to Carer Support Payment. From Spring 2024, Carer Support Payment will be available in more areas and across Scotland by Autumn 2024.

The person you care for must be getting a qualifying benefit because of their disability, which in some cases has to be paid at a certain rate.  

Carer Support Payment is paid at £76.75 a week. The amount paid is usually increased each April.  

You don't have to be related or live with the person you care for to get Carer Support Payment.  

You can qualify for Carer Support Payment whether you are in or out of work. However, you must not earn more than £139 a week.  

Carer Support Payment does not depend on national insurance contributions and is not means-tested – in other words, it is not based on your personal income or savings – but earnings may affect your entitlement. 
 
Carer Support Payment usually counts in full as income when calculating your entitlement for means-tested benefits. 
 
If you get Carer Support Payment (or are entitled to it but do not get it because of Overlapping Benefit Rules), you will also get a Carer’s Premium/Additional amount included in your means-tested benefit (Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Pension Credit and Housing Benefit). Also can get an extra payment known as Carer's Allowance Supplement.  

Applies to: Scotland  

Age rules: You must be 16 or over (see next section for more details) 

Type of benefit: Non means-tested (but you mustn't earn over £139 per week) 

Taxable: Yes 

Administered by: Social Security Scotland