How Carer Support Payment works
Carer Support Payment is money to help you if you’re a carer. You can get paid £83.30 a week if you’re eligible.
Find out who can apply for Carer Support Payment.
Carer Support Payment replaces Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. You cannot get Carer Support Payment and Carer's Allowance at the same time.
Carer Support Payment became available across Scotland from November 2024.
If you get Carer's Allowance and live in Scotland, you do not need to apply for Carer Support Payment. Your benefit will move to Carer Support Payment. Learn more about moving from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment.
If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, find out more about Carer's Allowance at GOV.UK.
How you're paid
Carer Support Payment is normally paid every 4 weeks, at the end of the 4 weeks.
If you move from Carer's Allowance to Carer Support Payment, you can get paid weekly.
It can be paid into a UK bank account. This can be your own account or someone else’s. If you do not have a UK bank account, Social Security Scotland will contact you about payment options after you apply.
What else you can get
Other benefits if you get Carer Support Payment
If you get Carer Support Payment, you may get these extra payments:
And you may get National Insurance credits – learn more at GOV.UK.
You do not need to apply for any of these.
Other benefits you can apply for
To find out what benefits you can get, use these benefit calculators.
If you're on a low income or out of work, you can also apply for:
If you've reached State Pension age, you can apply for Pension Credit at GOV.UK.
If you provide care for 20 hours a week or more, you can apply for Carer's Credit at GOV.UK.
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.
If your circumstances change
Social Security Scotland need to know about changes in your circumstances so they can:
- make sure you’re paid the right amount of Carer Support Payment
- contact you about your Carer Support Payment
Learn how to tell Social Security Scotland about a change.
If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland
You can apply for Carer's Allowance at GOV.UK.