TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE UNPAID CARERS IN SCOTLAND CAN APPLY FOR A NEW BENEFIT FROM 4 NOVEMBER
Carer Support Payment, which is a payment of £81.90 per week paid by Social Security Scotland, has been introduced in phases since November 2023.
It is now available in every local authority in the country, marking the completion of the roll-out of Scotland’s 14th benefit.
It is for unpaid carers who provide 35 or more hours of care a week to someone who gets disability benefits. Carer Support Payment, is the replacement in Scotland for Carer’s Allowance which is delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Unlike Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment is available to some carers in education. This includes full-time students aged 20 or over and students under 20 who are in advanced or higher education.
In June, eligibility was extended to carers aged 16-19 in non-advanced education. This includes those studying for National Certificates, Highers and Advanced Highers, who meet certain criteria, for example, not having any parental support.
As part of the roll out, new backdating rules were introduced meaning that some carers - mostly full-time students - living in the new areas can apply to have their payments backdated to when Carer Support Payment was introduced.
SNP Rona Mackay said:
“The importance of the role of unpaid carers should not be underestimated. Their work is vital to the people they look after and to society as a whole.
I am delighted that the Carer Support Payment is now available in East Dunbartonshire. Many students in my constituency will be able to get this financial support for the first time, thanks to changes made by the Scottish Government.
Paul Traynor, Head of External Affairs at Carers Trust Scotland, also welcomed the national roll out. He said:
“Research highlights that student carers can be up to four times more likely to drop out of college or university and financial struggles are often one of the key reasons for this.
“The national roll out of Carer Support Payment will help make a significant difference to many carers’ lives and support more student carers to remain and succeed in education”.
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