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Carer Support Payment

How to apply for carer benefits

Last updated
5 Apr 2026

You can apply for Carer Support Payment and Carer Additional Person Payment:

  • using the online form
  • on the phone
  • by post
  • in person

You do not need to apply for Scottish Carer Supplement. You'll automatically get this if you get Carer Support Payment.

If you are aged 16 to 19, find out how to apply for Young Carer Grant.

If you already get Carer Support Payment and want to add an additional person

If you already get Carer Support Payment and now want to get Carer Additional Person Payment, you should complete a change of circumstance form.

Information you need when you apply

Before you apply, make sure you have your:

  • National Insurance number (this information is optional but can speed up your application)
  • bank or building society details

You also need details of the person, or people, you care for, including their:

  • date of birth and address
  • National Insurance number if they’re 16 or over (this information is optional but can speed up your application)
  • Child Reference Number if they’re under 16 (this information is optional but can speed up your application)

Apply online

You need to register or sign in with myaccount.

You can save your application as you go, so you can come back to it when it suits you.

Apply online

Apply on the phone

Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 to apply on the phone.

Their opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

If you need to contact Social Security Scotland from outside the UK, call +44 (0)1382 931 000. This call is not free but you can ask Social Security Scotland to call you back. Check with your phone provider for details of charges.

Apply in British Sign Language

If you're a British Sign Language user, use Contact Scotland BSL to contact Social Security Scotland by video call.

Apply in other languages

You can call Social Security Scotland and ask for an interpreter in over 100 languages. They can connect you to an interpreter straight away, or you can book a call in advance.

Apply by post

If you want to fill in a paper form you can either:

The address to send your application to is shown at the end of the form.

You can get a large print paper form by contacting Social Security Scotland.

Applications for Carer Support Payment using a Carer's Allowance form

If you send a Carer's Allowance application form to Social Security Scotland, they'll use it as an application for Carer Support Payment.

You do not need to complete a separate Carer Support Payment application.

But you'll need to complete a change of circumstance form if you want to get Carer Additional Person Payment.

Apply in person

A client support adviser from Social Security Scotland can help you apply. They can meet you:

  • at your home
  • at a venue in your local community
  • over the phone
  • through a video call

Find out how a client support adviser can help you apply.

If you've moved to Scotland from England, Wales or Northern Ireland

Make a new application to Social Security Scotland. Your award letter from your current benefit provider can be used to support your application.

You and your data

Social Security Scotland holds and processes personal data in compliance with UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

If you want to know more about how Social Security Scotland use your data, read the privacy notice.

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