Tens of thousands on benefits to receive free payment worth over £290 this summer

Scottish Sun

18 hours ago

Struggling carers can get a one-off payment of £293.50 next week - see how to get it
CASH BOOST Tens of thousands on benefits to receive free payment worth over £290 this summer
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TENS of thousands of carers will get a benefit cash boost of £293.50 next week.
Some 90,000 will get the one-off extra payment between 18 and 19 June, but it's only available to those claiming either Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance in Scotland.
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Person takes coins out of the purse
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The Scottish Government hands out these extra payments, called Carer's Support Allowance, to unpaid carers twice a year.
It gives extra financial support to people who are taking care of someone who is unwell or vulnerable.
Carer's Allowance has replaced Carer Support Payment. Both are worth £83.30 a week, and you normally get paid every four weeks.
The extra money is automatically paid into the same bank account as the one you normally get your benefit paid into.
You should be sent a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made.
If you haven't got a letter, or haven't been paid, by 30 June, call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
The next Carer's Allowance Supplement will be paid in December.
You are eligible for the help if you were claiming either one of the two benefits on 14 April, 2025.
To be eligible for Carer Support Payment, you must:
Be 16 or over
Usually live in Scotland
Provide care for 35 hours or more a week for someone who gets certain disability benefits
Not earn more than £196 a week or £10,912 per year
What if I don't live in Scotland?
You can still claim Carer's Allowance if you don't live in Scotland - you just won't get the Carer Support Payment element.
The benefit is paid to those caring for someone else (who is on benefits) for at least 35 hours a week.
You don't have to be related to the person you care for, or live with them, to be eligible.
If you claim Carer's Allowance you also receive National Insurance credits, which contribute to your NI record.
This is a really important, as your NI record is used by the government to calculate how much state pension you can get.
You need 35 full years of NI contributions to get the maximum amount, which is £230.25 a week.
What if I'm not a carer?
If you're not a carer but are struggling, check if you qualify for any benefits.
You can use a benefits calculator to help check you are not missing out on money you are entitled to.
Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
Your local council may have a Household Support Fund scheme for low income households.
The government has supplied a £742million pool of cash to councils in England to dish out to struggling families.
Depending on the help that your council is offering, you could get free cash and even supermarket vouchers.
If you're struggling with your energy bills, see if there are any grants to help you clear any arrears.
British Gas and Octopus Energy offer financial assistance to customers in difficulty, with some schemes wiping as much as £2,000 off unpaid energy debts — depending on your situation.