New Scottish carers’ benefit to be piloted in three areas
The Scottish government has announced the three pilot areas for a new benefit to support unpaid carers.
Carer Support Payment will replace Carer’s Allowance, currently administered by the UK government’s Department for Work and Pensions, and will be provided by Social Security Scotland.
The Scottish government says more than 80,000 carers in Scotland will be able to receive the new benefit, including 1,500 carers who are currently unable to access Carer’s Allowance due to studying full-time.
Carer Support Payment will open for applications in pilot areas from November 2023, subject to parliamentary approval of regulations setting out rules and eligibility.
Adults living in Perth and Kinross, Dundee City and Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Western Isles) will be the first to be able to apply ahead of a phased national rollout beginning in spring 2024. The benefit will be available nationally by autumn next year.
Scottish social justice secretary, Shirley Anne Somerville, said: ‘This fourteenth Scottish benefit feeds into our critical mission to reduce poverty and provide support those who are in the greatest need.
‘Unpaid carers play a vital role in looking after their loved ones, but we know this can affect their own health and wellbeing. Carer Support Payment will provide unpaid carers with income in recognition of their caring role, giving them more security and helping them access opportunities outside of caring.
‘Access to education is a key part of this, which is why we want to extend eligibility for our benefit to many carers studying full-time. I am pleased student carers will be able to apply as soon as Carer Support Payment is available in their local authority area, given the calls from carers and support organisations for changes to the current rules.
‘This change and the delivery of Carer Support Payment will be a key milestone in our ongoing work to improve support for unpaid carers, and we are committed to further changes to make the benefit work even better in future.’
The launch of Carer Support Payment follows the introduction of extra support available for unpaid carers in Scotland through the Carer’s Allowance Supplement in 2018, which was the first payment made by Social Security Scotland and increased Carer’s Allowance by more than 13 percent. Eligible carers receive a payment every six months, and payments are £270.50 in 2023.
The draft regulations provide that students can get Carer Support Payment if they meet the other eligibility criteria and are:
- Any age and studying part-time (for less than 21 hours a week)
- 20 or over and studying full-time at any level of education
- 16 to 19 and studying full-time advanced education
The Carer Support Payment amount will continue to be paid at the same rate as Carer’s Allowance from launch until case transfers are complete. The current rate of Carer’s Allowance is £76.75 a week.
Carers in Scotland who are already receiving Carer’s Allowance will not need to make an application for Carer Support Payment. Their benefits will start to transfer automatically from February 2024.
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