The earnings limit for people who provide unpaid care has increased from £151 to £196 a week.

This means that a carer can earn £45 more a week, after tax, National Insurance and certain expenses, and be eligible for the Carer Support payment in Scotland.

To receive Carer Support Payment of £83.30 a week, carers also need to be providing 35 hours or more of care a week to someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit.

Carer Support Payment is replacing Carer’s Allowance in Scotland which was delivered by the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Carer Support Payment is a payment of £83.30 a week from 6 April 2025 and is available to carers who are aged 16 or over and who provide unpaid care for 35 hours or more a week to someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit. Carers need to earn £151 a week (increasing to £196 a week from 6 April 2025) or less after tax, National Insurance and certain expenses. The earnings limit for carers in Scotland who are getting Carer’s Allowance will also increase to £196. Carers getting Carer’s Allowance in Scotland will have their benefits transferred automatically to Carer Support Payment. This process is due to complete this spring.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an extra payment for eligible unpaid carers who are getting Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance on two qualifying dates. The payment is made twice a year and is unique to Scotland. Each payment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement in 2025 will be £293.50. It is paid automatically without the need to apply.  

Young Carer Grant  is available for carers aged 16, 17 or 18 who provide support for an average of 16 hours a week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. It is a yearly payment of £390.25 from 1 April 2025 and the money can be spent on whatever the young person wants.  

Information on other support for carers, such as wider financial support, wellbeing support and short breaks from caring, can be found at Help if you’re a carer – mygov.scot 

Fiona Collie, Head of Public Affairs and Communication at Carers Scotland said:

“Carers Scotland welcomes the increase in the earnings threshold to £196 which will support more unpaid carers to earn more from paid employment alongside their Carer Support Payment. This change will also enable more carers to claim Carer Support Payment.

“The new threshold amount applies once a carer has taken away deductions for tax, national insurance and half of any pension contribution. Carers may also be able to deduct some of the costs to provide care whilst you are working.

“We would encourage all carers in employment or who are thinking about returning to employment to find out more about Carer Support Payment and the earnings threshold from Social Security Scotland or their local carers centre or advice agency.”