Support for carers

Your carer could apply for extra benefits if you get:

• Child Disability Payment
• Adult Disability Payment

Carer’s Allowance

Your carer can apply for Carer’s Allowance if you get either:

• Child Disability Payment - middle or highest rate care component
• Adult Disability Payment - standard or enhanced rate daily living component

Carer Support Payment

Carer Support Payment is replacing Carer's Allowance in Scotland. Visit the guide to Carer Support Payment to learn more about it, including:

• how it works
• who can apply
• how to apply and help applying

Effects on your benefits

Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment can affect other benefits that you get. You can speak to a Social Security Scotland adviser if you need more information before applying.

Carer's Allowance Supplement

If your carer gets Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment, they should also get a Carer’s Allowance Supplement.  They do not need to apply for this. They’ll automatically get 2 payments a year if they qualify.

Carer's Credit

If your carer looks after you for at least 20 hours a week, they can get Carer’s Credit.

Young carers

Your carer can apply for Young Carer Grant if they:

• are aged 16, 17 or 18
• look after you for an average of 16 hours a week

Other support for carers

Someone who cares for you may be able to get:

• benefits
• wellbeing support
• help to take breaks from caring for you

There's more information in the guide 'Help if you're a carer'.

Carers also have the right to a support plan or statement. These identify carers’ needs and what support may be available to meet them. There are 2 types:

• younger carers get a Young Carer Statement
• carers who are 18 or over and not in school get an Adult Carer Support Plan

Your carer should contact their local council or carer centre to get their plan.

For advice and information, and to find a local carer centre, your carer should contact Care Information Scotland.