For immediate release:

SECOND OF THE NEW CARERS PAYMENT MADE THIS WEEK

The next payment of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be made to the majority of carers on 14 December.

This will be only the second payment of the supplement ever made, after the Scottish Government recently became responsible for a small number of benefits and subsequently set up the new service, Social Security Scotland.

Through the new payment, carers who qualify will receive two supplementary payments totalling £442 per year, equivalent of an extra £8.50 per week which is a 13% increase on the Carer’s Allowance paid by the UK Government.

Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey is encouraging constituents to get in touch with her if they experience issues.

Commenting, Clare Haughey MSP said:

“This investment by the Scottish Government of more than £30 million a year addresses the unfairness that Carer’s Allowance is the lowest of the working age benefits, with the supplement bringing it into line with the rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance.

“Hundreds of my Rutherglen and Cambuslang constituents will be helped through this new benefit, receiving an additional £440 each year, and I am pleased that the second round of this total payment will be made this week.

“This is only the second time ever that the Carer’s Allowance Supplement has been paid, so if there are any teething issues in receiving the supplement, then I would encourage constituents to get in touch with me.”

Clare Haughey MSP’s office can be contacted on 0141 561 5131, by email at clare.haughey.msp@parliament.scot, or at 85 Main Street, Rutherglen, G73 2JQ.

ENDS

Notes:

Further information on the Carer’s Allowance Supplement can be found here:

https://www.mygov.scot/carers-allowance-supplement/overview/

Date published: 5th December 2018