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Increased support for carers

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 14th April 2026
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Read more about financial support available for unpaid carers in Scotland.

Financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland is being updated and improved to recognise the important role carers play in communities across the country.

Social Security Scotland is introducing a series of improvements to carer benefits, providing extra support to help with some of the challenges that caring can bring.

From March 2026, carers who look after more than one person for at least 20 hours a week will be able to claim the new Carer Additional Person Payment, worth over £500 a year for each additional cared-for person.

Other improvements include extending Carer Support Payment following the death of the cared-for person from 8 to 12 weeks and replacing Carer’s Allowance Supplement with Scottish Carer Supplement which will be paid alongside Carer Support Payment rather than in two annual payments as it is currently – meaning carers receive extra support more consistently and regularly.

This is the latest in a series of improvements to support for carers which are unique to Scotland, and includes the extension of Young Carer Grant to 19-year-olds and the extension of Carer Support Payment to more people in education.

For information about other support available for unpaid carers, visit mygov.scot/help-if -youre-a-carer

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