Personal assistants in Scotland are being urged to register to ensure they don't miss out on a £500 thank-you payment.
There are around 10,000 such workers north of the Border, who are employed directly by disabled people to provide vital support to enable them to live independently.
They are the last remaining group to receive the bonus payment for health and social care workers which was announced by SNP ministers in November 2020.
A portal was launched today along with a dedicated helpline to support applicants.
As with other health and social care workers, Personal Assistants will receive a pro rata payment of up to a maximum of £500, depending on the number of hours they work in an average week.
Social care minister Kevin Stewart said: “The importance of Personal Assistants within the wider social care workforce has only been made more visible during the pandemic. Along with the rest of our health and social care workers, they deserve the thanks of the whole country.
“Personal Assistants and their employers are a unique part of the social care setting, and we are committing to making access to the thank you payments as simple as possible.
“We have worked with disability lead organisations and payroll providers for Personal Assistant Employers to ensure that payments are made as quickly as possible to this complex and geographically diverse workforce.
“I am delighted that this new portal will now enable us to ensure this key group of workers can apply for the thank you payment they well deserve.”
Personal Assistants can apply online at the dedicated online portal.
