For immediate release

Rutherglen Constituency MSP, Clare Haughey, has said that the nationwide rollout of the Carer Support Payment is a “milestone moment”. 

The Carer Support Payment, which is a payment of £81.90 per week paid by Social Security Scotland, has been introduced in phases since November 2023 and is now available to people living in every local authority in Scotland – including in South Lanarkshire.

This support is for unpaid carers who provide 35 or more hours of care a week to someone who gets disability benefits. 

Unlike the DWP’s Carer’s Allowance which it replaces, Carer Support Payment is available to some carers in education. This includes full-time students aged 20 or over and students under 20 who are in advanced or higher education. 

As part of the rollout, new backdating rules were introduced, meaning that some carers may be able to backdate their payments to the initial rollout date.

Commenting, Clare Haughey said;

“Unpaid carers perform a vital role across communities in Rutherglen and Cambuslang, and the SNP Scottish Government is taking action to ensure that they have the full support that they require.

“The nationwide rollout of the Carer Support Payment is a milestone moment, and this payment will be vital to support unpaid carers who go above and beyond to help those they look after in our communities, and our wider society. 

“The SNP Government developed Social Security Scotland with dignity, fairness and respect at its core – the delivering of this 14th Scottish benefit is in keeping with those principles.”

More information on the Carer Support payment, including who can apply, how to apply, and further information about backdating is available on the Scottish Government website at https://www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment

ENDS