The Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment made twice a year to Scottish people who claim Carer's Allowance on two specific qualifying dates.
These additional payments are made in June and December while the DWP continues to administer Carer's Allowance on Social Security Scotland's behalf, reports the Daily Record. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) payment was initially set at a level that would raise the original benefit to the equivalent of the current rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance for those aged 25 and over.
However, following uprating, the combined payment now exceeds the rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance. This year's supplement payments are worth £245.70 each and the latest figures from Social Security Scotland show that 81,680 payments were made to carers who were eligible in April 2022.
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In order to qualify for the December payment, people must be claiming or have made a new claim for Carer's Allowance by October 10, 2022. For anyone considering making a new claim for Carer’s Allowance, the DWP recently confirmed it currently takes 37 working days to process an application from initial submission to decision letter.
Read on below to make sure you’re not missing out on additional support of you provide care for a friend or family member for at least 35 hours each week.
Am I eligible for Carer's Allowance?
You could be eligible for the benefit of £69.70 a week if you ,the person you care for and the type of care you provide meets certain criteria. The monthly payment adds up to £278.80 each pay period.
You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. The person you care for must already get one of these benefits:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - daily living component
Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - the middle or highest care rate
Attendance Allowance
Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
Armed Forces Independence Payment
If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.
The type of care you provide
You will need to spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone. Types of care can include:
helping with washing and cooking
taking the person you care for to a doctor’s appointment
helping with household tasks, like managing bills and shopping
Eligibility
Updated guidance on GOV.UK states that all of the following must apply:
You are 16 or over
You spend at least 35 hours a week caring for someone
You have been in Scotland for at least two of the last three years (this does not apply if you’re a refugee or have humanitarian protection status)
You are not in full-time education
You are not studying for 21 hours a week or more
You are not subject to immigration control
Your earnings are £128 or less a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses
How do I make a claim?
You can claim Carer's Allowance online via the GOV.UK website, or phone the Carer’s Allowance Unit for a claim form on 0800 731 0297. You will need to have the following information before you make a claim:
National Insurance number (if you have a partner you’ll need theirs too)
Bank or building society details
Employment details and latest payslip if you’re working
P45 if you’ve recently finished work
Course details if you’re studying
Details of any expenses, for example pension contributions or the cost of caring for your children or the disabled person while you’re at work
You will also need the following details for the person you care for:
Date of birth and address
National Insurance number if they are 16 or over
Disability Living Allowance reference if they are under 16
You can get more help and advice from Carers UK, Carers Trust, Citizens Advice Scotland, and the Carers Direct helpline from the NHS.
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