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1. What is carer support payment
Carer support payment (CSP) is a new Scottish benefit, replacing carer’s allowance (CA). See previous versions of this Handbook for information about CA.
Phased rollout of new claims
20 November 2023: Perth and Kinross, Dundee and the Western Isles
24 June 2024: Angus, North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire
19 August 2024: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, East Ayrshire, Fife, Moray, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire
4 November 2024: everywhere else in Scotland
People already on CA in Scotland will be transferred to CSP by spring 2025.
CSP is for people who spend at least 35 hours a week looking after a disabled person (an adult or child).1Reg 5(2) CSP Regs The disabled person must be getting a qualifying disability benefit: attendance allowance, the middle or highest rate of the child disability payment/disability living allowance care component, either rate of the daily living component of adult disability payment/personal independence payment, armed forces independence payment or constant attendance allowance in certain cases. The amount of CSP you get is not means tested and your student loan, grant or other income does not affect it. Most students are eligible for CSP.
Note: the Scottish government pays a supplement to people living in Scotland who get CSP. It is paid as a lump sum every six months (£288.60 in 2024). A one-off young carer grant is available for 16–18-year-old carers who cannot get CSP (see here). See cpag.org.uk/scottish-benefits for more information on these payments.
 
1     Reg 5(2) CSP Regs »