Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland)

If you live in Scotland and receive Carer’s Allowance, you may be able to get an extra payment called the Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

If you're looking after someone with a disability or illness, including a terminal illness, you may be getting Carer's Allowance. Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment on top of Carer's Allowance for people who live in Scotland. It's paid twice a year by Social Security Scotland.

It is a temporary payment until Carer's Allowance is replaced by a new Scottish benefit (Carer's Assistance). Carer's Allowance Supplement has been introduced to quickly increase the amount of Carer's Allowance paid to carers in Scotland.

To get Carer's Allowance Supplement, you must meet the following criteria:

It cannot be paid to carers who do not receive Carer's Allowance but instead have an underlying entitlement. An underlying entitlement is where you are eligible for Carer's Allowance but cannot receive it, because you're getting another benefit at a higher rate.

The person you care for does not have to live in Scotland for you to get Carer's Allowance Supplement.

Carer's Allowance Supplement in 2024 is £288.60 – this is paid twice a year.

It does not matter how much Carer's Allowance you get – the amount of Carer's Allowance Supplement is the same.

If you're due to be paid Carer's Allowance Supplement, you'll get a letter from Social Security Scotland before you receive it.

You do not need to make a claim for Carer's Allowance Supplement. If you are eligible, you will be paid it automatically.

Carer's Allowance Supplement will not affect your other benefits or tax credits. You do not need to tell the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or your local council about this payment.

You may have to pay income tax on your Carer's Allowance Supplement. Most people do not pay tax if their income is under £12,570 a year. If your income is over this amount, tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) about this payment.

If you have a partner, their income does not affect whether you have to pay tax on Carer's Allowance Supplement.

For more information about Carer's Allowance Supplement, contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. You can also contact them on web chat via mygov.scot.

For information on Carer's Allowance, contact the Carer's Allowance Unit: call 0800 731 0297, textphone 0800 731 0317, Relay UK 18001 then 0800 731 0297, or visit GOV.UK to access the British Sign Language video relay service.

Some benefits can affect the other benefits that you or the person you care for get, so it's important you have the right information and advice. Here are some organisations that can provide further support.

Here at Marie Curie we cannot provide information about your specific benefit claim. For all queries about claims, you'll need to contact the relevant government department.