Latest news with #CarerSupportPayment
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Scots carers waiting twice as long for key benefit as people living in England
EXCLUSIVE: Average processing times for Carer Support Payment have jumped to over 50 days. Scots carers who look after the disabled are waiting twice as long for a vital benefit compared to people in England. Average processing times for the devolved Carer Support Payment (CSP) have now soared to 54 days. Scottish Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain, who uncovered the huge disparity, blasted: 'I've been approached by carers concerned that payments are taking so long to process. Scottish ministers might talk a good game about a gentler and kinder bureaucracy but what carers actually want is to get paid on time.' As part of the devolution of some social security benefits to Holyrood, CSP replaced the UK-wide Carer's Allowance, which is still in force south of the border. Carers can receive £83.30 a week if the person they look after receives disability benefits. But figures show the median processing time for CSP hit 54.3 working days in March, compared to 26-28.6 days for the DWP benefit in the same month. Social Security Scotland figures show the waits faced by carers in having their claims processed has been steadily climbing. The figure was a median average of 23.7 days in March last year and 28.2 in January before reaching 54.3 months ago. Nearly 650 carers also had to wait more than 41 working days in March alone. Around £89.5m was paid out in CSP between November 2023 and March this year. Chamberlain said: 'The whole point of devolving social security powers was to give Scotland a chance to treat claimants more humanely compared to the hated DWP. Unfortunately, on the SNP's watch, processing times keep getting worse.' Labour MSP Michael Marra said: 'These appalling waits show the SNP has broken its promise to deliver a fairer, more efficient social security system in Scotland. Under the SNP costs are spiralling but applicants are still being let down. Carers do invaluable work and they deserve a social security system that works for them, but they are being left in limbo for months on end due to SNP incompetence.' Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: 'This is shocking and my heart and solidarity is with everyone who has been left waiting. Carers do a vital role for their loved ones and for our society and they deserve our recognition and respect, and also our support. 'Nobody should be made to wait this long, and I have no doubt that it will have caused a great deal of stress and anxiety for people who are often in precarious financial positions. The Scottish Government must turn this around and ensure that we have a social security system that recognises the importance of carers and is based on compassion and doesn't leave people waiting.' A Social Security Scotland spokesperson said: 'Our priority is to process applications as quickly as possible and to make the right decision first time. Although average processing times for Carer Support Payment applications increased slightly earlier this year, the number of payments to unpaid carers more than tripled - putting more money in the pockets of people who do so much for others. "Unlike Carer's Allowance, the benefit it replaces, Carer Support Payment is available to more carers in education, including full-time students aged 20 or over and students aged 16-19 in advanced or higher education.'
Daily Mirror
31-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Thousands of people to get free £290 payment this year - see who is eligible
The bonus payment for receiving these benefits is called the Carer's Allowance Supplement and this is paid twice a year - we explain who is eligible and how when it will be issued Thousands of people claiming benefits will receive a bonus payment of £293.50 later this year. The extra money will be issued to those who are in receipt of Carer's Allowance in Scotland. You will also be eligible if you get Carer Support Payment, which is replacing Carer's Allowance in Scotland. The bonus payment for receiving these benefits is called the Carer's Allowance Supplement and this is paid twice a year. The last payment was made in June 2025, with the second payment due in December 2025. You normally need to be claiming Carer's Allowance or Carer's Support Payment to get this bonus. If you're due to get the payment, you'll get a letter from Social Security Scotland. It will then be paid to your regular bank account automatically - you won't need to apply for it. Carer's Allowance explained Carer's Allowance is paid to those providing at least 35 hours of care a week. This can include helping someone with everyday tasks such as washing, managing bills, or taking them to doctor's appointments. The person you're caring for must also receive one of the following benefits: Personal Independence Payment - daily living component Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate Attendance Allowance Pension Age Disability Payment Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension Armed Forces Independence Payment Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate Adult Disability Payment - daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate You must also be aged 16 or over, not in full-time education, and not studying for 21 hours a week or more. There is an earning limits, which sets how much someone can earn in income and still be eligible for Carer's Allowance. This is set at £196 a week. If your earnings go over the limit - even by just £1 - you lose your entitlement to Carer's Allowance. You don't have to be related to the person you're caring for, and if more than one person cares for the same person, only one of you can claim Carer's Allowance. You should keep in mind that claiming Carer's Allowance can affect the benefits of the person you're looking after, as well as your own.
Daily Record
25-07-2025
- General
- Daily Record
People making a new claim for Carer Support Payment due extra £293 lump sum
The qualifying date for the December payment of Carer's Allowance Supplement is October 13. Unpaid carers across Scotland are being urged to find out if they are eligible for additional financial support through Carer Support Payment, Carer's Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant. Carer's Allowance Supplement - a payment only available north of the border - was the first benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland in 2018 to provide extra financial support for carers, recognising their important contribution. The first £293.50 payment of the year was issued to more than 90,000 carers in June with the next lump sum due to land in bank accounts before Christmas. The payment of £293.50 is issued twice each year and gives those on Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment the potential to earn £4,475 over the 2025/26 financial year. The payment is issued by Social Security Scotland to people who receive Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on a specific date. Only carers in Scotland are eligible for the December payment if they received Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on October 13, 2025. It's important to be aware that the £293.50 Carer's Allowance Supplement is paid separately from any benefit payment from Social Security Scotland or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Carers eligible for the payment will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made, although this may arrive after the money has landed in accounts. Nobody needs to apply for the extra money as it is paid automatically to everyone who is eligible. On a visit to Midlothian Carers Centre to meet with parent carers of adults with additional support needs last month, Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, said: 'Social security in Scotland isn't about renaming benefits previously delivered by the UK Government. We are about delivering social security with dignity, fairness and respect, continually listening to what carers and support organisations have to say to help shape the changes we're making. 'We introduced Carer's Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant, which are only available in Scotland, and widened eligibility for Carer Support Payment to enable more carers in education to access it. We're also committed to introducing new extra support for carers who care for more than one person. Changes to help improve the lives of carers in Scotland. 'Social security is something anyone may need at any point in their life. It's a public service and I encourage all unpaid carers to find out if they are entitled to financial support and apply.' Carer Support Payment Carer Support Payment is the devolved equivalent to Carer's Allowance and is worth £83.30 per week to people providing 35 hours of unpaid care to family, friends or neighbours in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit. The payment is typically issued every four weeks which amounts to £333.20. The weekly earnings threshold is £196 - equivalent to 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage. Am I eligible for Carer Support Payment? Carer Support Payment is money you can get if you provide care for someone and meet certain eligibility criteria. You must: be 16 or over usually live in Scotland provide care for 35 hours or more a week, this includes if you provide care all day every day not earn more than £196 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses The person you care for must already get one of these benefits: Adult Disability Payment – daily living component Child Disability Payment – middle or highest rate care component Pension Age Disability Payment Attendance Allowance Personal Independence Payment – daily living component Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - middle or highest rate care component Disability Living Allowance – middle or highest rate care component Constant Attendance Allowance at or above normal maximum rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension Armed Forces Independence Payment The type of care you provide To get Carer Support Payment, you must provide care for someone as an unpaid carer for 35 hours or more a week. It cannot be care you provide: as a professional care worker through a volunteering scheme or charity Even if you do not think of yourself as an unpaid carer, you might be eligible for Carer Support Payment. Examples of caring for someone include supporting them: with their mental health during an illness with a disability if they have an addiction Supporting someone with their mental health If you provide care for someone with a mental health condition, you might: comfort them during a panic attack stay close by so they do not feel alone support them through a crisis make sure they're safe keep them company Supporting someone with an illness or disability If you provide care for someone with an illness or disability, you might support them with: getting around getting dressed taking medicines using the shower or toilet cooking meals food shopping translating The person you provide care for You might provide care for: someone in your family a friend a neighbour You do not have to live with them or be related to them. You can only apply for Carer Support Payment for one person. If you provide care for more people, you are not entitled to extra payments. You can check if you are eligible for Carer Support Payment and find full details on the devolved benefit on the website here.
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Daily Record
DWP payment rules for people on Carer's Allowance going on holiday abroad
There are a number of changes in circumstances unpaid carers must report or payments and entitlement could be affected. Nearly one million people across Great Britain, including over 90,000 living in Scotland are currently receiving £83.30 each week in Carer's Allowance. However, many of those claimants may not be aware of several changes in circumstances that must be reported to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or risk losing their benefit entitlement. These changes include starting a job, entering or leaving full-time education, earning more than £196 per week, not providing 35 hours of weekly care, or the person they care for goes into hospital, into a care home or takes a holiday. However, many unpaid carers may be unaware that going abroad on holiday for a period of more than four weeks during a six-month period (26 weeks), may affect benefit entitlement. This means that if you are planning more than one foreign getaway between now and the end of this year you will need to make sure the dates fall within the guidance on The guidance states: 'You can carry on claiming Carer's Allowance if you take up to four weeks holiday out of a 26-week period. Tell the office that deals with your benefit that you'll be away." However, additional advice on the Independent Age website also says that if you're going abroad temporarily with the person you care for and they receive certain benefits including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Adult Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Attendance Allowance, the duration can be extended. It also advises that if you move to a country within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you may be able to keep receiving payments or make a new claim - find out more on here. A full list of changes to report to the DWP can be found on here. You can also report the change online on that same page. Reporting a change online Make sure you have: your National Insurance number details of the person you're caring for details of your changes Carer's Allowance Supplement Scots claiming Carer Support Payment, or existing Carer's Allowance claimants in Scotland-only will receive a one-off payment for £293.50 in December. Carer's Allowance Supplement is an automatic payment made twice each year by the Scottish Government to recognise the important contribution made by unpaid carers - the first payment of 2025 was made in June. To qualify for the automatic payment before Christmas, people need to have been in receipt of either Carer's Allowance from the DWP, or Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland, on October 13, 2025 - the exact payment date before Christmas will be confirmed nearer the time. The payment is administered by Social Security Scotland and delivered separately from Carer's Allowance. and Carer Support Payment. Nobody needs to apply for the extra money as it is paid automatically to everyone who is eligible. Carer Support Payment in a nutshell Carer Support Payment is the devolved equivalent to Carer's Allowance and is worth £83.30 per week to people providing 35 hours of unpaid care to family, friends or neighbours in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit. The payment is typically issued every four weeks which amounts to £333.20. The weekly earnings threshold is £196 - equivalent to 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage. Am I eligible for Carer Support Payment? Carer Support Payment is money you can get if you provide care for someone and meet certain eligibility criteria. You must: be 16 or over usually live in Scotland provide care for 35 hours or more a week, this includes if you provide care all day every day not earn more than £196 a week after tax, National Insurance and expenses The person you care for must already get one of these benefits: Adult Disability Payment – daily living component Child Disability Payment – middle or highest rate care component Pension Age Disability Payment Attendance Allowance Personal Independence Payment – daily living component Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - middle or highest rate care component Disability Living Allowance – middle or highest rate care component Constant Attendance Allowance at or above normal maximum rate with Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension Armed Forces Independence Payment You can find out more about how it might affect other payments here. The type of care you provide To get Carer Support Payment, you must provide care for someone as an unpaid carer for 35 hours or more a week. It cannot be care you provide: as a professional care worker through a volunteering scheme or charity Even if you do not think of yourself as an unpaid carer, you might be eligible for Carer Support Payment. Examples of caring for someone include supporting them: with their mental health during an illness with a disability if they have an addiction Supporting someone with their mental health If you provide care for someone with a mental health condition, you might: comfort them during a panic attack stay close by so they do not feel alone support them through a crisis make sure they're safe keep them company Supporting someone with an illness or disability If you provide care for someone with an illness or disability, you might support them with: getting around getting dressed taking medicines using the shower or toilet cooking meals food shopping translating The person you provide care for You might provide care for: someone in your family a friend a neighbour You do not have to live with them or be related to them. You can only apply for Carer Support Payment for one person. If you provide care for more people, you are not entitled to extra payments. You can check if you are eligible for Carer Support Payment and find full details on the devolved benefit on the website here.
Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
State Pension checks people need to do before major change in April
The State Pension age is set to start increasing next year and be fully implemented for all men and women across the UK by 2028 The State Pension age is set to increase from 66 to 67 next year, with the hike expected to be fully in place by 2028. This planned alteration to the official retirement age has been on the books since 2014, with another State Pension age rise from 67 to 68 slated to occur between 2044 and 2046. The regular payout of up to £230.25 per week is available to those who have hit the UK Government's eligible retirement age and have clocked up at least 10 years' worth of National Insurance contributions. A lot of people nearing the official retirement age this year (or next) and eligible to start claiming State Pension from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or those nearing 55 and keen to start drawing from a personal or workplace pension, might not know about a handy checklist by the Citizens Advice network to aid in preparing for retirement. This nine-point checklist is an excellent starting point if you're close to concluding your working life and unsure about what financial support is available in later life to help you make the most of your retirement, reports the Daily Record. Retirement checklist Below is a brief summary of what you should consider as you near retirement. Calculate your expected income and consider how your expenditure might alter once you retire - the Citizens Advice Budgeting Too l can assist with creating a budget. If you're receiving benefits, inform the provider about your retirement plans - you may need to apply for a different benefit or the amount you receive could change. Investigate whether you're eligible for any new benefits - you might qualify for benefits such as Carer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment, Housing Benefit or a Council Tax Reduction. Determine how much remains on your mortgage (if applicable) - you might wish to clear the remaining balance with a lump sum, but it's advisable to seek financial advice first. Obtain an estimate of your State Pension - the State Pension calculator can help with this. Locate any pension providers that you've lost touch with - the Pension Tracing Service can assist with this. You can reach them on 0800 731 0193 or use their online form to find a lost pension. Contact all your pension providers and inform them of your retirement plans - they'll typically send you crucial information about your pension. Seek financial advice or assistance from MoneyHelper (formerly Pension Wise) - particularly if you have a personal pension, to ensure you're aware of all your options. You might need to pay for independent financial advice, but it could prove beneficial in the long term. Think about leaving your pension pot to someone when you pass away - bear in mind that there will be tax implications for doing this, so it's advisable to consult with your pension provider or an independent financial adviser. Find out more about preparing your finances for retirement on the Citizens Advice Website here. Changes to State Pension age It's crucial to be mindful of the upcoming change to State Pension age, especially if you already have a retirement plan in place. All those affected by changes to their State Pension age will receive a letter from the DWP well in advance. Who will be affected by the State Pension age rise: People born on April 6, 1960 will reach State Pension age of 66 on May 6, 2026 while those born on March 5, 1961 will reach State Pension age of 67 on February 5, 2028 Anyone of any age can use the online tool at to check their State Pension age, which can be an essential part of planning your retirement. You can use the State Pension age tool to check: When you will reach State Pension age Your Pension Credit qualifying age When you will be eligible for free bus travel
