Double payment for Carer’s Allowance Supplement to be paid on 15th December

Unpaid carers living in Scotland and in receipt of Carer’s Allowance Supplement will receive another double additional payment on the 15th December 2021, thanks to the recent passing of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Act.

The extra payment, which is the second time the Scottish Government has doubled Carer’s Allowance Supplement, is to recognise the additional pressure put on carers during the Coronavirus pandemic.

On the 15th December, eligible carers who were receiving Carer’s Allowance on 11 October will receive a doubling of their payment to £462.80, which will benefit more than 91,000 people.

Social security minister Ben Macpherson paid tribute to unpaid carers and their work during the pandemic:

“I’m delighted that eligible unpaid carers in Scotland will receive a further double payment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement before Christmas this year.

“This additional investment of around £20m means the Scottish Government has provided around £120m of additional funding this year and last, compared to in the rest of the UK, through the supplement and the two additional coronavirus payments, to eligible carers in Scotland.

“By making these additional payments, the Scottish Government is showing our appreciation of the vital role carers play in our society. This funding will help to mitigate some of the negative impacts of the virus on carers’ own finances and wellbeing whilst they continue to provide vital caring roles to friends and family.”