Unpaid carers in Scotland are set to receive a financial boost next month in the form of a one-off payment of £288.60. Due on December 6, the supplement is designed to recognise the vital role played by carers. Are you one of the 84,000 people eligible? Follow along for all the details.
Extra €288 Payment for People on Carer’s Allowance Due Next Month — Are You Eligible?
By Arezki AMIRI
Published on 23 November 2024 07:30
More than 80,000 carers in Scotland will soon receive an additional £288.60 payment as part of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement. This one-off payment is scheduled for Friday, December 6, 2024, and aims to recognize the significant contribution made by unpaid carers. The payment is automatically issued twice a year by Social Security Scotland to those eligible under the devolved system.
Who Qualifies for the Payment?
Eligibility for the Carer’s Allowance Supplement in December requires carers to have been receiving either Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or the devolved Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland on October 7, 2024. Those who applied for either benefit before the deadline but are awaiting a decision will receive the payment retrospectively if their claim is successful.
Recipients will be notified through a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made. This supplement is separate from the regular Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment.
The Transition to Carer Support Payment
The Carer Support Payment, which is replacing Carer’s Allowance in Scotland, is now available for new applicants across the country. This benefit provides £81.90 per week (£327.60 per month) to those providing care for 35 hours or more weekly and earning less than £151 after tax, National Insurance, and expenses. Eligible carers must be caring for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Attendance Allowance.
The program also expands eligibility for students, including full-time students aged 20 or over and those in advanced or higher education under 20. Additionally, young people aged 16–19 in non-advanced education may qualify.
Carers currently receiving Carer’s Allowance will not need to reapply, as their benefits will automatically transfer to the new system by spring 2025.
Backdated Payments for New Areas
As part of the rollout, backdated payments are available for carers living in areas included in later phases of the program. These include regions such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Highlands. Carers in these areas can apply for backdated payments until February 2, 2025. Applications submitted after this deadline may still be eligible for backdated support if the delay can be justified.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Carer Support Payment, carers must:
- Be 16 years or older and reside in Scotland.
- Provide 35 hours or more of care weekly, including daily care.
- Earn no more than £151 per week after deductions.
Additionally, the person being cared for must receive one of several qualifying benefits, such as Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, or Disability Living Allowance.
It’s important to note that while receiving the Carer Support Payment will not impact the qualifying benefits of the person being cared for, it may affect other benefits the carer or their household receives.