What we mean by ‘care’

What is meant by ‘care’ is not defined in the Carer Support Payment regulations, nor in the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, though the regulations do specify some kinds of caring roles which would not be considered ‘care’ for Carer Support.

We usually understand care to be the type of help and support provided to someone who is ill, disabled, has a long-term health condition, or needs extra help as they grow older. Most stakeholder organisations describe what carers do in similar terms.

Some examples of types of care¹

Care for someone with a mental health condition may include:

• comforting them during a panic attack
• staying close by so they do not feel alone
• supporting them through a crisis
• making sure they're safe
• keeping them company

Care for someone with an illness or disability may include supporting them with:

• getting around
• getting dressed
• taking medicines
• using the shower or toilet
• cooking meals
• food shopping
• translating

These are just examples and are not exhaustive. These examples are included in information for applicants on mygov, to help them understand if they meet the eligibility criteria.

For someone to be entitled to Carer Support Payment the person that is being cared for must be receiving a qualifying disability benefit2. We refer to this person in regulations and guidance as ‘the cared for person’.

A qualifying benefit must be in payment to the cared for person as this demonstrates that they are someone who requires a certain level of care or support.

¹ Who can apply for Carer Support Payment

² The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023, reg 5(1)

Presence of the cared for person

It is expected that the majority of the 35 hours of caring would be spent with the cared for person, given their care needs as demonstrated by the qualifying benefit being in payment to them, but we recognise some parts of the caring role may be done in the absence of the cared for person (for example, preparing for them to arrive, tidying up after they leave, running errands)¹.

¹ Decision of the Social Security Commissioner CG_0006_1990.pdf

The caring arrangement

The care being provided for generally can’t be as part of a contract, or as voluntary work for a charity or other not-for-profit organisation¹.

¹ Carers Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023, reg 5(4)

However, there are specific rules for certain situations, which are set out in the next sections of this guidance.

Carers are asked on application what kind of care they are providing for the person they care for. The application informs them that they can only get Carer Support Payment for this person if they provide unpaid care for them. Carers can answer that they provide:

• Professional paid care
• Care through a volunteering scheme or charity
• Unpaid care as a family member, friend or neighbour

Some carers may answer that they provide ‘professional paid care’ or ‘care through a volunteering scheme or charity’ but may still be eligible for Carer Support Payment depending on their circumstances.

Specific types of caring role – kinship carers, foster carers, carers receiving payment through self-directed support, and care provided as part of a voluntary or charity role - are covered in the next sections of this guidance.

If it is not clear whether these circumstances apply to a carer who has applied for Carer Support Payment, you should check with the client before denying the application.