Applying outside of Scotland

You might be able to get Carer's Allowance Supplement if you have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland but live outside of the United Kingdom in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

Apply by post

You can apply by filling in a paper form.

You'll need to pay for the cost of posting your application to Social Security Scotland.

Apply over the phone

Call Social Security Scotland on +44 (0)1382 931 000. You'll be charged to call from abroad. Check with your phone provider to find out about any charges.

You'll be asked for some details and someone from Social Security Scotland will call you back to complete the application. This is so you will not be charged for applying over the phone.

The call centre opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (UK time).

If you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND app to contact Social Security Scotland by video relay.

Sending copies of certificates or documents

You'll need to send Social Security Scotland some copies of documents to confirm who you are and where you live. After you've applied, Social Security Scotland will send you a letter to let you know what you need to send. You can send these documents now rather than waiting for this letter, if you'd prefer.

Confirming who you are

The document you send must not be expired. Send a copy of one of these:

• UK, European Economic Area or Non-European Economic Area signed passport
• European Economic Area national identity card
• UK, European Economic Area or Non-European Economic Area photo card full driving licence
• UK or European Economic Area photo card provisional driving licence
• identity photo card with 'PASS' logo
• application registration card - age not disputed
• UK armed forces identity card

Confirming where you live

Send a copy of one of these:

• a bank or building society statement dated within the last 6 months
• a letter from a social worker
• a doctor's registration letter
• an electoral voting card
• a benefit award letter dated within the last 6 months
• further or higher education financial support award letter from the current academic year
• a letter from your local authority, dated within the last 6 months (such as a housing benefit letter)
• a letter from a professional body, dated within the last 6 months and on headed paper (such as a doctor, dentist, optician, school, college, or charity)

If you're not able to get any of these documents, call Social Security Scotland on +44 (0)138293100.

You'll be charged to call from abroad. Check with your phone provider to find out about any charges. Social Security Scotland's call centre opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (UK time).

How to send your documents

Send any photocopies of documents to:

Social Security Scotland
PO Box 10302
Dundee
DD1 9GN

You'll need to pay for the cost of posting your application to Social Security Scotland.

It can take up to two weeks to return any original documents you send. You can make photocopies at your local library.

You need to write the following information on your photocopied documents:

• your full name and date of birth
• your National Insurance number, if you know it
• the words 'Carer's Allowance Supplement', so Social Security Scotland know what you're applying for Social Security Scotland will send you a letter once they've got your form.

You and your data

If you want to know more about how Social Security Scotland uses your data, you can read the privacy notice about the Carer's Allowance Supplement.