Over £25 million paid to Scottish carers in June

­Almost 89,000 carers received over £25 million through a Scotland-only benefit in June, new statistics show.

We pay Carer’s Allowance Supplement twice a year to people who receive Carer's Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions or Carer Support Payment from us.

In the last round of payments, £25.6 million was paid to eligible carers.

The extra payment was introduced to recognise the contribution of unpaid carers. In the financial year 2024/2025, each Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment is £288.60.

Since launching in 2018, over 1 million payments have been paid to over 164,000 carers, totalling £306 million.

Carers do not need to apply for Carer’s Allowance Supplement as it is paid automatically. People will get two payments a year if they qualify.

Social Security Scotland writes to eligible carers in advance so they know when to expect a payment.

Patrick from Glasgow, who cares for his 10-year-old autistic son, received Carer's Allowance Supplement in June.

He said: “My son needs a lot of care and support. I love being able to look after him but it can be tough.

“Carer’s Allowance Supplement has been a godsend. I used my first payment to help pay for a new washing machine.

“This year I used it to buy new clothes and to pay for a few activities me and my son wouldn’t normally be able to afford.”

The next eligibility date for Carer’s Allowance Supplement this year is 7 October and payments will be made after this date.

To find out about eligibility for Carer’s Allowance Supplement, people can visit mygov.scot/carers-allowance-supplement. People can also call us free on 0800 182 2222.

Information on other support for carers is available at mygov.scot/help-if-youre-a-carer

Background

Carer Support Payment is replacing Carer's Allowance for carers in Scotland.

Carers who get Carer Support Payment will also get Carer's Allowance Supplement. You do not need to apply for it.

Some people who are eligible for Carer's Allowance from the DWP, or Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland do not get receive payments of these benefits because they get other benefits instead.

This is sometimes called an 'underlying entitlement'. If people have an ‘underlying entitlement’ to Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment, they will not get Carer's Allowance Supplement, but they may be entitled to other benefits.