Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment from the Scottish Government to carers in Scotland who are receiving a full or partial Carer's Allowance payment from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
How much is Carer's Allowance Supplement and how often will it be paid?
It will be paid by Social Security Scotland every 6 months. Each 6 monthly payment will be £270.50. Payments will be uprated annually with inflation.
Who qualifies for this payment?
Carers who live in Scotland and are in receipt of Carer's Allowance from the DWP.
There will be 2 qualifying dates per year - one in April and one in October.
Will people who have an 'underlying entitlement' to Carer's Allowance receive the Carer's Allowance Supplement?
No the Carer's Allowance Supplement is for people in receipt of partial or full Carer's Allowance. It is designed to provide support as soon as possible to some of the lowest income carers.
Carers with underlying entitlement are entitled to Carer's Allowance but do not receive a payment because they are in receipt of another benefit at the same or higher rate.
How will carers receive Carer's Allowance Supplement?
Carers who will receive this payment will get a letter notifying them. Payments will be paid into the same bank or Credit Union account as their Carer's Allowance is paid into.
Will this affect other benefits?
No carers will continue to receive Carer's Allowance from the DWP at the same time and rate as they do now. The payment will not be taken into account when clients are assessed for other benefits.