Thousands of unpaid carers across Scotland could be missing out on financial support worth more than £5,600 a year, as Carers Week (June 8-14) shines a spotlight on the help available through Social Security Scotland.
Carers Week highlights available support
The annual awareness campaign aims to recognise the contribution made by unpaid carers and encourage people to check whether they are receiving all the support they may be entitled to. Social Security Scotland now offers four dedicated payments for carers, including Carer Support Payment, Scottish Carer Supplement, Carer Additional Person Payment and Young Carer Grant.
Together, the payments can provide thousands of pounds a year in extra income. Some carers may also be entitled to additional help through benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Council Tax Reduction.
Carer Support Payment
Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance for most people living in Scotland. The benefit is worth £86.45 a week, equivalent to £345.80 every four-week payment period - £4,495 a year. It is available to people who spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit. To qualify, carers must usually earn less than £204 a week after deductions for tax, National Insurance and certain expenses. Unlike Carer's Allowance, delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Carer Support Payment is also available to some people in education, allowing more carers to access support while studying.
Scottish Carer Supplement
People who receive Carer Support Payment automatically qualify for Scottish Carer Supplement. The payment is worth an additional £11.70 a week, equivalent to around £608 a year, and is only available in Scotland. The supplement is paid automatically alongside Carer Support Payment, meaning carers do not need to submit a separate application.
Carer Additional Person Payment
A new Scotland-only payment is now available for people who care for more than one person. Carer Additional Person Payment is worth £10.40 a week, or around £541 a year, for each additional person a carer looks after. To qualify, a person must already receive Carer Support Payment and provide at least 20 hours of care each week to another person who receives a qualifying disability benefit. The payment recognises the extra responsibilities faced by people who support more than one disabled person.
Young Carer Grant
Young carers aged 16, 17, 18 or 19 may be able to claim Young Carer Grant. The annual payment is worth £405.10 and is available to young people who provide an average of 16 hours of care a week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. The money can be spent however the young person chooses and can help with everyday expenses, education costs, transport or social activities.
Other support available
Financial support for carers does not stop with Social Security Scotland payments. People receiving Carer Support Payment may also be entitled to additional help through other benefits. For example, some carers may qualify for extra support through Universal Credit, while pensioners may be able to receive additional help through Pension Credit. Carers may also qualify for Council Tax Reduction and National Insurance credits, which can help protect their entitlement to the State Pension in later life. Support is also available through local carers' organisations, which can offer advice, information, wellbeing support and help accessing respite services.
How much could carers receive?
A person receiving Carer Support Payment and Scottish Carer Supplement would receive support worth around £5,103 a year. Someone who also qualifies for Carer Additional Person Payment could receive around £5,644 a year in direct financial support. The total amount could be even higher for carers who receive additional support through Universal Credit, Pension Credit or other benefits linked to their caring responsibilities.
Carers Week is running until June 14 and aims to raise awareness of caring, recognise the contribution made by unpaid carers and help people access the support available to them. Anyone who thinks they may be entitled to support can find out more through the Social Security Scotland website and the Scottish Government's carers information service.
