Carer’s allowance and carer support payment

CA is being replaced by CSP for carers in Scotland. CSP is paid by SSS. CSP was introduced for new claims in pilot areas on 19 November 2023 and it is being gradually rolled out in the rest of Scotland during 2024.

CA and CSP are benefits for clients who are providing regular and substantial care (35 hours a week or more) for someone who is in receipt of:

•AA (or pension age disability payment when available);
•the middle or highest rate of the care component of child disability payment (CDP) or DLA;
•either rate of the daily living component of ADP or PIP;
•armed forces independence payment, or constant attendance allowance paid with an industrial injuries disablement benefit or a war disablement pension.

This includes caring for a partner, family member, friend or neighbour.

Clients who claim CA or CSP may be entitled to an extra amount, called a ‘carer premium’ in a means-tested benefit or a ‘carer element’ in UC. This is the case even if CA or CSP is not paid because of special rules on ‘overlapping benefits’.

Note: a claim for CA or CSP can mean that the cared-for person receives less in means-tested benefits and so a detailed better-off calculation may be needed. Clients should usually be referred for specialist advice before claiming CA or CSP.

CA and CSP are not means tested, but clients cannot get either benefit if they have earnings above a set limit. CA and CSP are taken into account in full as income for means-tested benefits and tax credits. CA and CSP are taxable.

If you get CA or CSP and live in Scotland, you get a carer’s allowance supplement once every six months. This is paid by SSS to increase the amount of money that carers get. The supplement is expected to be paid until CSP is fully rolled out in Scotland. There is a qualifying date for each six-monthly payment. If you are receiving CA or CSP on that date, you will automatically be paid the supplement.

Carers aged 16, 17 or 18 can get a young carer grant if they provide an average of 16 hours’ care per week to a disabled person. The disabled person must be getting one of the same qualifying benefits as for CA or CSP. The young carer cannot get the grant if they were entitled to CA or CSP on the date of the claim. The grant is paid once a year and cannot be claimed if another person has claimed a young carer grant for caring for the same person. The young carer grant is paid by SSS.