Unpaid carers in Scotland: extra carer’s allowance supplement

What is carer’s allowance supplement and who gets it?

Eligible unpaid carers receive carer’s allowance supplement if they are living in Scotland and in receipt of UK carer’s allowance on the relevant date. Social Security Scotland pay carer’s allowance supplement on a six-monthly basis.

The next payment of carer’s allowance supplement, of £230.10, is due to be paid in June 2020, and is payable to unpaid carers who met the eligibility criteria on 13 April 2020.

How much is the additional payment and how/when will it be paid?

In May, as part of supporting people through the coronavirus situation, the Scottish Government announced that they intended to make an additional payment of carer’s allowance supplement to eligible unpaid carers.

The Scottish Government has publicly confirmed several details:

• the additional payment will be £230.10, which is the same as the regular carer’s allowance supplement;
• the two amounts (the regular payment and the additional sum) will be paid together, meaning that eligible unpaid carers should receive £460.20;
• payments will be made from 26 June onwards.

Do I need to make a claim?

Unpaid carers do not need to take any action. Social Security Scotland receive data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and will write to eligible carers in advance.

How are the payments treated for tax and tax credits purposes?

Like carer’s allowance, carer’s allowance supplement payments (including the ‘coronavirus’ additional amount) are taxable, although they will not count as income for tax credits or other benefits.

Where can I find more information?

There is information about the regular payments of carer’s allowance supplement in the Disabled people and carers section of our website.