Tens of thousands of unpaid carers in Scotland can now apply for new help.

The Carer Support Payment, worth £81.90 per week and paid by Social Security Scotland, has been phased in from November 2023.

It has now been expanded to include people living in 19 local authority areas, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Orkney and the Scottish Borders.

The payment is now available in all local authorities in the country, marking the completion of Scotland’s 14th benefit rollout.

It is for unpaid carers who provide 35 hours or more of care per week to someone receiving disability benefits. Carer Support Payment is the replacement payment for Carer’s Allowance in Scotland provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Unlike Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment is available to some carers in training. This includes full-time students aged 20 and over and students in further or higher education aged under 20.

In June, eligibility was extended to carers aged 16-19 in non-further education, including National Certificates, Masters and Further Higher Education students who meet certain criteria, such as not having any parental support.

As part of the implementation, new backdating rules were introduced; This means that some carers living in new areas (mostly full-time students) can apply to have their payments backdated to the date the Carer Support Payment was introduced.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, cabinet secretary for social justice, said: “The importance of the role of unpaid carers should not be underestimated. Their work is vital to the people they care for and to society as a whole.

“I am delighted that the Carer Support Payment is now available in every local authority in Scotland. Thanks to changes made by the Scottish Government, many students will now be able to receive this financial support for the first time.

“I urge anyone who thinks they might qualify to learn more.”

According to Carers Trust Scotland, it is estimated that there are around 35,000 unpaid carers attending college or university in Scotland.

Paul Traynor, head of external affairs at Carers Trust Scotland, said: “The enormous contribution of unpaid carers to society cannot be underestimated, providing vital caring roles for their families and friends and helping to hold society together.

“More than 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland live in poverty and we all too often hear about the financial pressures of juggling education and care when it is extremely difficult or not possible to supplement their income through employment.

“Research highlights that student carers can be up to four times more likely to leave college or university, and financial difficulties are often one of the key reasons for this.

“The national rollout of the Carer Support Payment will help make a significant difference to the lives of many carers and support more student carers to stay in education and succeed.”

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