Carer’s Allowance Supplement is only available in Scotland. It is for unpaid carers who provide 35 or more hours of care a week to someone who gets disability benefits.

Since its introduction in April 2018, a total of £814,620 has been paid in Carer’s Allowance Supplement in Orkney, as at October 2024.

205 carers in Orkney received the extra payment in October 2024. The Carer Support Payment, is £81.90 per week .

Carers can find out more, and apply at https://www.mygov.scot/carer-support-payment

It was the first benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland in 2018 to provide extra financial support for carers, recognising their important contribution.   

Click on this link for more information about financial support for Carers in Scotland: Carers Scotland.

In total, £333.7 million has been paid to carers in Scotland since 2018.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement expenditure, by eligibility date

In August 2024 , there were:

• 84,460 carers in Scotland in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.
• 71,430 people in Scotland in receipt of Disability Living Allowance.
• 149,997 people in Scotland in receipt of Attendance Allowance.
• 891 people in Scotland in receipt of Severe Disablement Allowance.

As of 31 March 2025, it is estimated that 89,400 children and young people
were in receipt of Child Disability Payment in Scotland. 145 applications were approved in Orkney (as at 31 March 25).

Find out more about Social Security Scotland’s existing three payments for unpaid carers at Carer Support Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant. Carer payments are for people providing care for someone getting a disability benefit. Find out more about disability and illness payments at Disability and illness – mygov.scot 

Fiona Grahame

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