Carer Support

Who counts as an unpaid carer?

If you look after a partner, relative or friend who has a disability or health condition, and they would find it difficult to manage without your support, you are an unpaid carer.

Many people don’t see themselves as carers, because they see the support they give as part of their relationship. However, if you are an unpaid carer, there may be support available to you, including financial help.

What is Carer Support?

Carer Support has replaced Carer’s Allowance in Scotland, and is paid by Social Security Scotland. It has three elements - Carer Support Payment, Scottish Carer Supplement and the Carer Additional Person Payment.

Carer Support Payment

To qualify for Carer Support Payment, you must:

• spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who has care or support needs. It doesn’t matter whether or not you live with them. The 35 hours can include time spent helping them practically, supporting them emotionally or being there to keep them safe
• care for someone who receives a qualifying benefit:
  - Attendance Allowance
  - Pension Age Disability Payment
  - Adult Disability Payment (care component)
  - Personal Independence Payment (care component)
  - Disability Living Allowance (high or middle rate care component)
  - Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (high or middle rate care component)
  - Armed Forces Independence Payment
  - Constant Attendance Allowance

• have an income is below the threshold amount - this amount is different depending on whether you are receiving State Pension or if your income is from employment, including self-employment

Scottish Carer Supplement

If you receive Carer Support Payment, you will also get a small additional weekly payment called Scottish Carer Supplement. This is not counted as income for tax purposes or when calculating other benefits.

Carer Additional Person Payment

If you are receiving Carer Support Payment and you care for another person who receives a disability benefit, for at least 20 hours per week, you may get a small additional weekly payment.

Like Scottish Carer Supplement, this payment is not counted as income for the purposes of tax or other benefits. Only one person can claim Carer Additional Person Payment for the same cared-for person at a time. 

Getting advice about Carer Support

The Carer Support rules are complex. Claiming can affect the benefits you receive, and the benefits received by the person you care for. To check how making a claim could affect your entitlements, call the Age Scotland helpline on 0800 12 44 222 and ask to  book a benefit check. You can also check your entitlements using our online Benefit Calculator.

Benefit Workshops

The benefits system is complicated. It can be difficult to work out what you are entitled to, and how to claim it. Find out more about joining one of our Benefit Workshops.