Social Security Scotland has announced that thousands of unpaid carers across the country are set to receive an extra payment of £245.70 next week. The latest figures from the devolved welfare system show that some 81,680 Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments were made in June to carers living in Scotland who were in receipt of the benefit on the qualifying date in April.
People who were claiming Carer’s Allowance on October 10, 2022 will see the Carer’s Allowance Supplement land in their bank account from Friday, December 9, 2022. The supplement is an extra payment issued twice a year to people in Scotland who claim Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Carers Allowance claimants in Scotland do not need to apply for the devolved payment as it is made automatically - if you are eligible for the £245.70 payment, you will receive a letter telling you that you are due one.
In a post on social media, Social Security Scotland said: “Carer's Allowance Supplement will be paid on 9 December.
“The payment of £245.70 will be made automatically to people who were in receipt of Carer's Allowance on 10 October 2022.”
If you have not received a letter or payment by Friday, December 16, contact Social Security Scotland for free on 0800 182 2222.
The next Carer’s Allowance Supplement, worth £245.70, will be made in June 2023.
To receive the payment next year, people will need to have been claiming Carer’s Allowance by April 10, 2023 - Social Security Scotland automatically adds the Carer’s Allowance Supplement element to your claim made to the DwP.
Am I eligible for Carer’s Allowance?
You may be eligible for weekly Carer’s Allowance payments of £69.70 if you, the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for.
The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - daily living component
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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - the middle or highest care rate
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Attendance Allowance
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Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
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Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
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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:
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helping with washing and cooking
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taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment
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helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping
Eligibility
Guidance on GOV.UK states that all of the following must apply:
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You are 16 or over
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You spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
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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)
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You are not in full-time education
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You are not studying for 21 hours a week or more
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You are not subject to immigration control
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Your earnings are £132 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:
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National Insurance number (if you have a partner you’ll need theirs too)
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Bank or building society details
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Employment details and latest payslip if you’re working
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P45 if you’ve recently finished work
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Course details if you’re studying
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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:
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Date of birth and address
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National Insurance number if they are 16 or over
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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.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out four times each week - sign up here.
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