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. 

Carer Support Payment only available in certain areas for now, and in November 2024 it will be rolled out across Scotland. You can use the Carer's Support Payment postcode checker to see if it's open for applications in your area.

The transfer of existing Carer's Allowance claims to Carer Support Payment for claimants who live in Scotland began on 26 February 2024. If this applies to you, you do not need to take any action as it will be done automatically.

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 £81.90 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 £151 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