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

From 20 November 2023, Carer Support Payment will replace Carer's Allowance if you live in one of the following council areas: 

• Dundee City
• Perth and Kinross 
• Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)

This is a pilot launch of Carer Support Payment. There will be a national launch across the whole of Scotland in 2024.

How this can effect 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

If your carer is aged 16, 17 or 18 and looking after you for an average of 16 hours a week they can apply for Young Carer Grant.

Other support for carers

Your carer also has the right to a support plan to help identify:

• their needs
• what support is available to meet them

This plan is called an adult carer support plan or, for younger carers, a young carer statement. 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.