Download the app
© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
Download the app
© 2026. The Purpl Co Limited. All rights reserved.
10 min read
Written by
Georgina, Founder of Purpl
Published on
March 17, 2025
Carers are an essential part of society, providing care and support to individuals who are elderly, disabled, or otherwise in need of assistance. In recognition of their invaluable role, Scotland has financial aid to support these unpaid carers in the form of the Carer Support Payment.
Carer Support Payment is a vital financial benefit to people who spend a significant amount of time caring for someone with care needs. In this article, we will explore the details of the Carer Support Payment, including eligibility criteria, application processes, the payment structure, and the broader impact of this support on the lives of carers and those they care for.
If you are in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you need to apply for Carer’s Allowance, you can find the Purpl Guide to Carer’s Allowance here.
Purpl accepts no responsibility for the content of third-party websites and cannot guarantee that all these services mentioned may be able to help. Please note that situations and funding change from time to time. Purpl offer this information to be helpful and in good faith.
The Carer Support Payment is a financial benefit introduced by the Scottish Government, which aims to help unpaid carers who provide substantial care to someone with a disability, illness, or who is elderly.
Carers often face financial hardship due to the time and resources spent caring for a loved one, and the Carer Support Payment is intended to ease some of this burden. It is one of several social care and welfare initiatives introduced by the Scottish Government to provide support for those in caregiving roles.
The Carer Support Payment is £81.90 a week or £327.60 every 4 weeks.
Carer Support Payment became available across Scotland from November 2024. This benefit replaces Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. You cannot get Carer Support Payment and Carer’s Allowance at the same time.
If you get Carer’s Allowance and live in Scotland, you do not need to apply for Carer Support Payment. Your benefit will move to Carer Support Payment. This is happening between February 2024 and spring 2025. Learn more about moving from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment.
To be eligible for the Carer Support Payment, applicants must meet a series of criteria that assess both their status as a carer and the needs of the person they are caring for. The following points summarize the key eligibility requirements:
Head to the Scottish gov website to apply for Carer Support Payment you can also check your eligibility here.
The key steps include:
You also need details of the person you care for, including their:
Once the application has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the Scottish Government’s Social Security Directorate. The review process typically takes several weeks, depending on the volume of applications and the complexity of the individual cases. Carers will be notified of the decision once it has been made. If approved, the Carer Support Payment will be awarded, and payments will begin promptly.
If your Carer Support Payment application is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. The appeals process allows you to present additional evidence or clarify any misunderstandings that may have led to the refusal. The appeals system is designed to ensure fairness and transparency for all applicants.The contact details are on your decision letter.
The letter you get from Social Security Scotland will tell you what to do if you disagree with their decision.
You can ask them to look at their decision again. This is called requesting a redetermination or appeal.
If you want to do this, you can ask for help from:
If you cannot get Carer Support Payment, you might be able to get other benefits and support. Learn about other support for carers here.
If you provide care for at least 20 hours a week but do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Credit is available. This National Insurance credit helps protect future entitlement to the State Pension by filling gaps in the National Insurance record.
Eligibility for Carer’s Credit requires providing care for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit. Unlike Carer’s Allowance, there is no earnings limit, and it does not affect other benefits.
You do not need to apply for Carer’s Credit if you:
Apply using the Carer’s Credit claim form. The form includes a Care Certificate – ask a health or social care professional to sign it for you.
Claiming Carer Support Payment can affect the benefits of you and the person you care for. It is essential to understand these impacts before applying.
If you have a partner and live with them, Carer Support Payment may affect some of their benefits as well but their benefits or income do not affect your eligibility for Carer Support Payment or how much Carer Support Payment you can get.
Social Security Scotland will let some other benefit providers know if you start getting Carer Support Payment, but you should still tell DWP about your Carer Support Payment.
You should get more money overall because DWP may pay you a Universal Credit carer element. This is an extra amount on top of Universal Credit. Also, because you’re a carer you should not have to meet any of the work requirements for Universal Credit.
Carers have certain rights and responsibilities when receiving Carer Support Payment:
In addition to Carer Support Payment, a variety of free resources and services are available to support carers in Scotland:
While the Carer Support Payment offers significant benefits, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. One of the main issues is the level of the payment itself. Although it provides essential financial assistance, the amount may not be enough to cover all the costs incurred by carers, particularly those with extensive caregiving responsibilities. Some carers may still struggle to make ends meet.
There is also a concern about awareness and access to the Carer Support Payment. Despite being a vital form of support, not all eligible carers may be aware of the program, or they may find the application process overwhelming. The Scottish Government must ensure that information about the payment is widely available and that carers have easy access to the necessary resources.
Despite the support Carer’s Allowance provides, many carers face significant challenges:
Respite care means taking a break from caring, while the person you care for is looked after by someone else. It helps you to take time to look after yourself, your own needs and helps you to stop feeling too overwhelmed, exhausted and burnt out.
The main types of respite care are:
Your local council or local carers’ centre can give you information about local support.
Your mental and emotional health is important. Remember on an airplane, you are told to put your own oxygen mask on first before helping someone else. This is because if you are too unwell to care for yourself, you cannot help anyone else.
Georgina’s Disability Tips
The Carer Support Payment in Scotland is an essential step towards recognizing and supporting unpaid carers who provide crucial care for individuals with disabilities, illnesses, or age-related conditions. By offering financial assistance, the Scottish Government is acknowledging the significant role that carers play in society. Although the payment addresses some of the financial pressures faced by carers, there remains a need for continued evaluation to ensure that the payment meets the ever-changing needs of carers in Scotland.
Ultimately, supporting carers means supporting the broader healthcare system and society. By ensuring carers receive adequate financial, emotional, and practical support, Scotland can build a more compassionate and resilient community for all its citizens.
Georgina is the founder of Purpl Disabled Discounts, she understands the financial challenges that come with living with a disability as she has MS and ADHD. She is on a mission to help the disabled community save money through discounts on everyday products and services, as well as creating a place to support every person living with a disability in the UK. You can read her story about why she launched Purpl and her ultimate goal of launching a foundation to give grants to disabled people in the UK.
How to Apply for a Disabled Holiday Grant for Disabled People in the UK
Blue Badge Guide – Parking for Disabled People in the UK
How to Apply for a Charitable Grant for Disabled People
Morrisons Disabled Discount Code: 10% off grocery shopping
1pMobile Disabled Discount Codes: 10% off all SIM plans for life & 50GB to get you started
Hoover Direct Disabled Discount Code: 11% off at Hoover