Carers to receive extra cash by Christmas

The majority of carers will receive their next payment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement on Friday 13 December.  

This supplement, paid twice a year by Social Security Scotland, to carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance in Scotland is in its second year.  Payments have already been made to over 91,000 carers throughout Scotland.

The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is two automatic payments totalling £452.40 this year. It was introduced by the Scottish Government because Carers Allowance was the lowest paid benefit by the UK Government. The additional payment means it is now above the level of Jobseekers Allowance.

This year the Scottish Government is investing over £320 million in Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“I am delighted that Carer’s Allowance Supplement, now in its second year, has helped so many carers throughout Scotland. Carers make an invaluable contribution to society. This was the first payment we introduced and we did so to acknowledge their vital role.

“Social Security Scotland has committed to making the majority of payments on 13 December to ensure people have their money by Christmas to help at what can be challenging financial time.”

Background

Since launching in September 2018, 235,405 Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments have been made to 91,550 carers.

The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is paid to carers who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance and living in Scotland on the relevant ‘qualifying date’. The qualifying date for the December payment was 14 October 2019.

Carers do not need to apply for the supplement, which is paid automatically, if they are due to get a payment.

In 2019-20 Carer’s Allowance is £66.15 per week. Carer’s Allowance Supplement increases this to the equivalent of £74.85 per week so it now exceeds the rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance (£73.10 per week) for carers in Scotland.