Scotland has today launched a pilot of Carer Support Payment, its latest devolved benefit for unpaid carers on the lowest incomes, which will be open for new applications from across three local authority areas.

Over 80,000 carers will be entitled to this new benefit during the pilot phase delivered by Social Security Scotland.

Unpaid carers in Perth and Kinross, Dundee City and the Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles) are the first to be able to apply for Carer Support Payment.

The payment replaces Carers’ Allowance which is currently delivered by the UK government’s Department of Work and Pensions, and has been supplemented in Scotland with the Carer’s Allowance Supplement since 2018.

Launching Carer Support Payment in Dundee Carers Centre today, Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said that this new benefit aims to better meet the needs of carers:

“The Scottish government is working hard to support households in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis.

“Carer Support Payment, which supports carers who have the most intensive caring roles and the lowest earnings, is part of our mission to reduce poverty.

“We have expanded the eligibility criteria so 1,500 people who couldn’t get Carer’s Allowance because they studied full-time, can get Carer Support Payment. We also made it easier to apply.

“A huge amount of work has been done to create a benefit and system that better meets the needs of carers who play a vital role in the lives of the people they look after and their community. This pilot phase allows us to put our new approach into practice, learning and improving ahead of the benefit beginning its phased roll out from Spring next year.”

Unlike Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment will be open to carers who are also in full-time education.

37-year-old Gemma who cares for her two disabled children and her grandparents says this is “life-changing”.

The Dundee mum currently receives Carer’s Allowance from the DWP and said under the new Carer Support Payment rules, she can both receive the benefit and go to university:

“I've worked since I was 13 but had to give up my job seven years ago because my oldest needed me so often that I was always having to take time off.

"I’ve always dreamed of going to university to study but didn’t think it would happen as I couldn’t afford to lose Carer’s Allowance. Being able to get Carer Support Payment while studying will be life-changing. It gives me an opportunity I didn’t think was possible.

 “A lot of people don’t realise they’re carers, especially mums. They think they’re just being a mum and technically they are but they’re also dealing with a lot that other parents don’t, so they are much more than that.  It’s important they know that help is available.”

Marking the fourteenth benefit under Social Security Scotland, the launch of the pilot comes just weeks after a practitioner from the organisation told healthandcare.scot he is quietly confident that the pilot will be managed well.

Hosting today’s launch event, Neil Campbell, CEO of Dundee Carers Centre, said:

“We’re delighted that Dundee is one of the pilot areas where Carer Support Payment is now open for applications. We know that this money will help many unpaid carers looking after a loved one, friend or neighbour.

“At Dundee Carers Centre we support unpaid carers of all ages, including young people in education. We welcome that local full-time students who are carers will now benefit from being eligible for this payment, allowing them to continue their studies alongside their caring role.”

As part of a phased roll-out, Scotland’s carers in more local authority areas will be able to apply from spring next year.

Designed with carers, Carer Support Payment seeks to offer an improved experienced to Carer’s Allowance – extending eligibility to providing information and signposting to help carers access wider support.

Although eligibility is being extended, the amount of Carer Support Payment is the same as Carer’s Allowance.

Those carers also in receipt of Carer’s Supplement will continue to receive the additional benefit alongside Carer Support Payment.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville added:

“I urge anyone in the pilot areas who thinks they might be eligible for Carer Support Payment to check if they are entitled and if so, apply. Carers living in other parts of Scotland who think they may be eligible should still apply for Carer’s Allowance.”

The Scottish government and Social Security Scotland say they will use what they learn from this pilot phase to shape the wider roll-out of the benefit across Scotland.

Those already in receipt of Carer’s Allowance will not need to apply separately for this new payment. Starting from February next year, carers in Scotland currently receiving Carer’s Allowance will begin to have their awards transferred to Carer Support Payment.

The benefit will then be available nationally by autumn 2024.

Read more: Carers in ‘devastating' financial hardship; Holyrood scrutinises SDS 10 years on; Independent Living Fund to reopen next year; Action for social care workers “can't wait”; Outstanding questions stall NCS scrutiny

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