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Scottish Carer’s Assistance consultation opens

  • Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 28th February 2022
Social Security

The Scottish Government are consulting on a replacement for the current Carer's Allowance entitlement.

A consultation has opened seeking views on a proposed new social security payment for unpaid carers in Scotland (this link will take you away from our website). This forms the next part of the phase-in of devolved social security entitlements, following the Child Disability Payment which launched last year, and Adult Disability Payment which will be rolled out nationwide by the end of summer.

Scottish Carer’s Assistance is intended to replace Carer’s Allowance for eligible carers in Scotland. It is estimated the payment will support over 80,000 unpaid carers – those providing more than 35 hours of care per week to people receiving certain disability entitlements.

Amongst the proposed changes are a £10 per week payment to people caring for more than one person who is getting a disability payment. In addition, Carer’s Assistance will be paid when the person they care for is in the process of appealing a disability benefit decision and receiving short term assistance.

Once the safe and secure transition is complete, the Scottish Government also intend on taking further measures. These include making full-time students eligible for Carer’s Assistance and increasing the earnings threshold, so carers can earn more and still be entitled to support.

You can read the full consultation document and find out how to respond here (this link will take you away from our website). The consultation is open until 23 May 2022, and the ALLIANCE will be engaging with our members to help inform our own response to this consultation.

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