Carer Support in Scotland: What's Changed for Unpaid Carers?

Unpaid carers are the backbone of families and communities, often balancing caring responsibilities alongside work, study, their own health, and the rising cost of living. To better recognise the vital role carers play, Scotland has introduced significant changes to the financial support available.

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As of March 2026, Carer's Allowance has been replaced in Scotland by a package of carer benefits delivered by Social Security Scotland. These changes are designed to provide more flexible, regular, and targeted support for unpaid carers. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for more than one of these benefits.

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Carer's Allowance has been replaced

Carer's Allowance is no longer the main benefit for carers living in Scotland. Instead, eligible carers now receive Carer Support Payment, which is administered by Social Security Scotland rather than the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

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If you were already receiving Carer's Allowance, your claim has been transferred automatically, and you should have been contacted by Social Security Scotland. New applicants in Scotland should now apply for Carer Support Payment instead.

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What is Carer Support Payment?

Carer Support Payment is the main financial benefit for unpaid carers in Scotland.

To qualify, you generally must:

• Live in Scotland.
• Be aged 16 or over.
• Provide at least 35 hours of unpaid care each week.
• Care for someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit.
• Earn no more than £204 per week after allowable deductions.

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💡 Eligible carers can receive up to £86.45 per week, helping to recognise the valuable care they provide every day.

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Scottish Carer Supplement

One of the biggest improvements to the Scottish system is the introduction of the Scottish Carer Supplement, which replaces the previous Carer's Allowance Supplement for most people receiving Carer Support Payment.

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Rather than receiving two lump-sum payments each year, carers now receive an additional £11.70 per week alongside their regular payment.

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This means many carers looking after one person can receive up to £98.15 per week before any interactions with other benefits are taken into account.

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Carer Additional Person Payment

Scotland has also introduced Carer Additional Person Payment, offering extra support for people who care for more than one disabled person.

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Eligible carers can receive:

• £10.40 per week for each additional person they care for.
• They must provide at least 20 hours of care per week for each additional person.

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💡 This recognises the increased responsibilities faced by carers supporting multiple people.

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Support for young carers

Young carers haven't been forgotten either. The Young Carer Grant is available for young people who:

• Are aged 16 to 19.
• Provide at least 16 hours of care each week.
• Are not receiving Carer Support Payment.

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Eligible young carers receive a yearly payment of £405.10, helping to acknowledge the important role they play while managing education, work, or other commitments.

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Other improvements to support

The Scottish Government has also introduced several additional changes to improve support for carers, including:

• An increased earnings threshold, allowing carers to earn more from employment while remaining eligible for Carer Support Payment.
• An extension of financial support following the death of the person being cared for, increasing payments from 8 weeks to 12 weeks.
• A smoother transfer process from Carer's Allowance, with existing claims moving automatically to Social Security Scotland.

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Things to consider before applying

Carer benefits can affect, or be affected by, other benefits such as:

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• State Pension
• Other income-related benefits

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Because everyone's circumstances are different, it's a good idea to seek independent benefits advice before making a claim to ensure you're receiving the support you're entitled to.

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Why these changes matter

The introduction of Carer Support Payment and the wider package of Scottish carer benefits reflects a commitment to better recognising the invaluable contribution unpaid carers make every day.

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With more regular payments, additional support for those caring for multiple people, dedicated help for young carers, and greater flexibility around earnings, Scotland's new system aims to provide practical financial assistance while acknowledging the essential role carers play in society.

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If you're an unpaid carer living in Scotland, now is a good time to check whether you're receiving all the support you're entitled to. Even if you've claimed Carer's Allowance in the past, the new Scottish system may offer additional payments that weren't previously available.

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About the National Carers Card

If you are an unpaid carer in Scotland (whether or not you receive benefits), you might be interested in the National Carers Card. Set up by carers in 2019, this is a form of visual identification for carers across the UK that supports and acknowledges the invaluable role of professional and unpaid carers. The card also helps with accessing discounts and other benefits that make daily life a little easier, and can help mitigate the impact of the unpaid carer penalty.