From March 2026, the Scottish Government replaced Carer's Allowance Supplement with Scottish Carer Supplement for carers receiving Carer Support Payment.

The change means carers will receive the extra support more consistently and regularly.

Scottish Carer Supplement is an extra payment from the Scottish Government to carers in Scotland who are receiving a full or partial Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland.

It will be paid by Social Security Scotland every 4 weeks is paid at the same time as your Carer Support Payment and is equivalent to £11.70 per week or £46.80 per 4 weeks.

Carers who live in Scotland and are in receipt Carer Support Payment.

You do not need to apply. If you were getting Carer Support Payment on 15 March 2026, Social Security Scotland has automatically awarded you Scottish Carer Supplement. Social Security Scotland has sent you a letter to let you know you've started to get Scottish Carer Supplement. 

A small number of carers in Scotland will continue to get Carer's Allowance. If this is you, you'll still get Carer's Allowance Supplement twice a year.

No the Scottish Carer Supplement is for people in receipt of partial or full Carer Support Payment. It is designed to provide support as soon as possible to some of the lowest income carers.

Carers with underlying entitlement are entitled to Support Payment but do not receive a payment because they are in receipt of another benefit at the same or higher rate.

Carers who will receive this payment will get a letter notifying them. Payments will be paid into the same bank or Credit Union account as their Carer Support Payment is paid into.

No carers will continue to receive Carer Support Payment at the same time and rate as they do now. The payment will not be considered when clients are assessed for other benefits.