Financial support
As a carer, you may be eligible for:
- benefits
- grants
- financial help at college or university
The person you care for may get money from the local council to arrange their own care (a 'self-directed support direct payment'). They could choose to pay for things that will help you in your caring role.
You also have rights at work to help you keep your job and income while you're caring.
Benefits for carers
You may be eligible for benefits such as:
Carers in Scotland now receive Carer Support Payment. Those who previously received Carer’s Allowance have had their benefits transferred to Carer Support Payment.
A very small number of carers in Scotland, or living abroad with a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland, may continue to be paid Carer’s Allowance. Carers in this position will continue to receive Carer’s Allowance Supplement.
Find out more at Carer's Allowance on GOV.UK.
If you’re not eligible for Carer Support Payment, you may still be able to get more from other benefits because you're recognised as a carer.
Other benefits you may be entitled to as a carer include:
- Council Tax Reduction or exemption
- Universal Credit – check if you're eligible for Universal Credit on GOV.UK
- Pension Credit – check if you're eligible for Pension Credit on GOV.UK
- Carer's Credit – check if you're eligible for Carer's Credit on GOV.UK
- Job Start Payment - if you need help with the costs of starting a new job
Check which benefits you could get using a benefits calculator.
Funds and grants
You may be eligible for grants because you're a carer or because of:
- your financial circumstances
- where you live
- your age
- your current or past job
Ask your local council or carers centre if there are grants for carers in your local area.
Find out more about grants for carers on Care Information Scotland.
You may also be able to get financial help if you have a disabled child.
Get advice about money and benefits
Your entitlement to benefits can be affected by working or getting other financial support.
You can get advice from:
- your local Citizens Advice Bureau – find your local bureau on Citizens Advice Scotland
- the Money Talk Team – call free on 0800 028 1456
Cost of living support
As a carer, you may be eligible for support with:
- energy costs
- council tax
- household bills
- existing debt,
- emergency money, food and fuel
Find out about cost of living support from the Scottish Government
Financial help at college or university
If you're a carer in further education you may be eligible for:
- discretionary funds – find out about discretionary funds on Student Information Scotland
- grants from educational trusts – find out about education trusts on Student Awards Agency Scotland
- Education Maintenance Allowance - if you’re aged 16 to 19
- bursaries or scholarships – these are specific to your college or university
Ask your college or university's student services department what you're eligible for before you start your course or term.
Rights at work
If you're an employee, you've got rights such as:
- requesting flexible working – such as reduced hours or job sharing
- time off for dependants
- unpaid parental leave
- maternity, paternity or adoption leave
- paid annual leave
Some rights require a period of continuous employment before you qualify for them.
Find out more about employment status and rights on GOV.UK.
Get advice about working while caring
Find out more about your rights at work on Carers UK.
You can get employment advice from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).
Self-directed support direct payment
The person you care for may get a direct payment from the council to arrange their own support.
They can choose to pay for things that will help you to care for them, such as:
- hiring professional carers or personal assistants
- cleaning services
- home adaptations and equipment
- short breaks (respite care or replacement care)
To get support from the council, they can ask the council to assess their needs.