After you apply for Carer Support Payment
Social Security Scotland will review your application form. After that, they may ask you to send them more information to support your application.
They may need to see documents that show:
- how much you earn, if you work
- where you live
- your UK immigration status if you are not a British citizen
- if you've spent time outside the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands or Isle of Man in the last 12 months
- you have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland
- if you or a family member are in the UK armed forces or Civil Service
How long it takes to process your application
Your individual circumstances can affect how long it takes to process your application. So it's difficult to say how long it'll take.
You should wait at least 6 weeks before contacting Social Security Scotland for an update on your application.
If you provide a mobile number when you apply, Social Security Scotland will send you a text message to let you know they've got your application.
You do not need to do anything else, unless Social Security Scotland ask you for more information once they've reviewed your application.
If you no longer want to apply
Contact Social Security Scotland and ask them to withdraw your application. You can only do this if Social Security Scotland has not yet decided about your application.
If you withdraw your application for Carer Support Payment, you will not be able to get Scottish Carer Supplement or Carer Additional Person Payment.
You can make a new application later if you want to.
If Social Security Scotland has already made a decision on your Carer Support Payment application, you can ask them to end your award. This will also end:
- Scottish Carer Supplement
- any Carer Additional Person Payment
If you have any questions, including about your decision, contact Social Security Scotland.
The decision
Social Security Scotland will send you a letter once they’ve made a decision about your application. This will tell you what you've been awarded and why, including:
- Carer Support Payment
- Scottish Carer Supplement
- Carer Additional Person Payment
If you disagree with a decision
The letter you get from Social Security Scotland will tell you what to do if you disagree with their decision.
You can ask them to look at their decision again. This is called requesting a redetermination or appeal.
If you want to do this, you can ask for help from:
- Social Security Scotland
- a friend or family member
- a support organisation, like Citizens Advice Scotland
- your local carer centre
If your circumstances change
If your circumstances change at any point after you apply, you need to tell Social Security Scotland.
You should do this as soon as possible so that Social Security Scotland can make sure you're paid the right amount.
Learn about the types of changes to tell Social Security Scotland about.