Support for Scotland’s unpaid carers

The theme for this year’s Carers Rights Day on 20 November is ‘Know your rights, use your rights’, encouraging carers to find out more about their rights and the support they’re entitled to.

It is estimated that there are around 800,000 unpaid carers in Scotland, providing unpaid support for family members, friends and neighbours who need extra help because of illness, disability or getting older. Of this total, around 30,000 are under the age of 18.

It’s a role which comes with added pressure. To help with some of these challenges, Social Security Scotland delivers three payments – two of which are unique to Scotland.

Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. The payment began rolling out across the country in November 2023 to replace Carer’s Allowance delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

In October this year, around 118,000 unpaid carers who were receiving Carer’s Allowance had had their benefit awards safely and securely transferred to Social Security Scotland’s Carer Support Payment.

Young Carer Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement are two other carer payments which are only available in Scotland.

Young Carer Grant is available for carers aged 16 to 19 who provide 16 hours of care each week. It’s an annual payment of £390.25 to help pay for things that young people enjoy.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an extra payment for people who get Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance, providing an additional £587 a year.

Find out more about the support available to carers with our Helping Hand for Carers resources at Social Security Scotland - Helping hand for carers - stakeholder resources.