210 Carers in Orkney benefitted from an extra payment only available in Scotland – The Carers Allowance Supplement.

It recognises the invaluable role unpaid carers play in supporting those who need it. Eligible carers get payments twice a year, normally in June and December. In the 2023-2024 financial year each payment was £270.50.

In Orkney 2023 (the latest figures available) the total amount paid out was £57,000 Since the extra payment started in Scotland in April 2018 a total of £700,000 has been received by carers in Orkney.

Social Justice Secretary in the Scottish Government Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“Unpaid carers make a significant contribution to society, often at the expense of their own health and wellbeing. The Scottish Government introduced Carer’s Allowance Supplement to recognise this contribution.

“I am pleased we have now made our one millionth payment and have given carers in Scotland almost £280 million of additional support.”

In Scotland as a whole there were 86,470 payments made in October 2023, amounting to £23,390,000. Since the extra payment started in April 2018 £279,619,000 has been paid to carers in Scotland.

The next payment will be made in June 2024 and will be £288.60. Social Security Scotland pays Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Carer Support Payment. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pays Carer’s Allowance. Carer Support Payment is replacing Carer’s Allowance for carers in Scotland. From 2024, carers who get Carer Support Payment will also get Carer’s Allowance Supplement. You do not need to apply for it.

Shirley-Anne Somerville continued:

“Carer’s Allowance Supplement is part of our wider package of support including Carer Support Payment and Young Carer Grant – another Scotland-only benefit.

“The Scottish Government recognise the pressure the cost of living crisis has placed on household budgets which is why we are continuing to allocate around £3bn a year to policies that tackle poverty and protect people as far as possible.

“This puts more money into the pockets of families who need it, which in turn is good for the economy.”

Click on this link to find out about eligibility for Carer’s Allowance Supplement or call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

Information on other support for carers is available at mygov.scot/help-if-youre-a-carer

Percentage of Carer’s Allowance Supplement Payments by Age Band for October 2023

Age band	Number of payments	Percentage of payments
Total	86,470	100.0%
Under 18	580	0.7%
18-24	3,780	4.4%
25-29	4,855	5.6%
30-34	8,405	9.7%
35-39	10,500	12.1%
40-44	10,225	11.8%
45-49	8,840	10.2%
50-54	10,290	11.9%
55-59	11,895	13.8%
60-64	13,595	15.7%
65 and over	3,505	4.1%
Unknown	0	0.0%

Fiona Grahame