Tens of thousands of unpaid carers will receive a double payment of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement this winter under new legislation passed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.
Recognising the additional pressures unpaid carers face as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the December payment of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be doubled to £462.80, benefitting more than 91,000 people across Scotland.
The twice-yearly payment of £230 is paid in June and December in addition to the Carers Allowance, which is currently a monthly payment of £270, to recognise the role carers play in society - the additional payments only apply to Scottish carers.
This extra investment, forecast to be £21 million, will be the second time the Scottish Government has doubled a Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment.
The Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill will also give Ministers powers to provide eligible carers with additional financial support in future if the need arises.
Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “We introduced the Carer’s Allowance Supplement in September 2018 to address the fact that Carer’s Allowance was the lowest of all working age benefits.
“This additional payment means that this year carers in Scotland will get £694.20 more in support than carers in the rest of the UK.
“We also made a double payment last year, so over the past two years we have invested over £120 million from our own budget to support around 91,000 unpaid carers.”
The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is unique in the UK and is one of seven new benefits introduced by the Scottish Government.
Sebastian Fischer, Chief Executive of VOCAL, which supports and empowers unpaid carers in Edinburgh said: “As we emerge from the pandemic, the Coronavirus Carers’ Allowance Supplement is a welcome measure and we are delighted that the Bill has passed. This will support carers who have faced, and continue to face, enormous challenges due to Covid-19.
“Unpaid carers have propped up the health and social care sector, and it is vital that they are recognised in ways that deliver real positive impact.”
To receive the December double payment, people will need to be claiming Carer’s Allowance by Monday, October 11, 2o21, which means there is only a few days left to submit a new claim for the benefit to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Once the claim has been processed, Social Security Scotland will automatically add the Carer’s Allowance Supplement to your claim.
Am I eligible for Carer’s Allowance?
You may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.
The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:
Personal Independence Payment ( PIP ) - daily living component
Disability Living Allowance ( DLA ) - the middle or highest care rate
Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
Armed Forces Independence Payment
If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
The type of care you provide
You need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone.
This can include:
helping with washing and cooking
taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment
helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping
Eligibility
Guidance on GOV.UK states that all of the following must apply:
You are 16 or over
You spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
You have been in Scotland for at least two of the last three years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
You are not in full-time education
You are not studying for 21 hours a week or more
You are not subject to immigration control
Your earnings are £128 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses
How do I make a claim for Carer's Allowance?
You can claim online at the GOV.UK website here or phone the Carer’s Allowance Unit for a claim form on 0800 731 0297.
Before you apply make sure you have your:
National Insurance number (if you have a partner you’ll need theirs too)
Bank or building society details
Employment details and latest payslip if you’re working
P45 if you’ve recently finished work
Course details if you’re studying
Details of any expenses, for example pension contributions or the cost of caring for your children or the disabled person while you’re at work
GOV.UK guidance states that you also need details of the person you care for.
You need their:
Date of birth and address
National Insurance number if they are 16 or over
Disability Living Allowance reference if they are under 16
More help and advice about Carer's Allowance
You can get more help and advice from:
Find out more about claiming Carer’s Allowance on the Gov.uk website here.
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