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Additional support for people caring for more than one person.

Financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland is being strengthened in recognition of their vital role.

From today (Monday 16 March) carers who look after more than one person for at least 20 hours a week will be able to claim the new Carer Additional Person Payment, worth over £500 a year for each additional cared-for person.

The new payment is part of a package of measures to improve carer support, with carers in Scotland now better off than anywhere else in the UK.

Other improvements include extending Carer Support Payment following the death of the cared-for person from 8 to 12 weeks and replacing Carer's Allowance Supplement with Scottish Carer Supplement which will be paid alongside Carer Support Payment rather than in two annual payments as it is currently – meaning carers receive extra support more consistently and regularly.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:

“Making sure unpaid carers are recognised for their important role has been paramount for me in my time as Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, so I’m incredibly proud that the latest improvements to support are now in place.

“Unpaid carers are the backbone of our communities, providing vital care and support for those closest to them. Carer Additional Person Payment will go further in recognising the impact caring for multiple people can have on a carer and this will make a difference to thousands of families.

“Social security is a human right and something that anyone may need at any point in their life. I would encourage any carers who might be eligible to get in touch with Social Security Scotland to find out more about the support available to them.”

This is the latest in a series of improvements to support for carers which are unique to Scotland, and includes the extension of Young Carer Grant to 19-year-olds and the extension of Carer Support Payment to more people in education.

Dawn Williamson, from Penicuik in Midlothian, cares for her 12-year-old daughter, who has autism, as well as her elderly parents and uncle. She welcomed the news of increased financial support for carers with multiple caring responsibilities from Social Security Scotland.

Ms Williamson said:

“It’s amazing that there is this acknowledgement for people who do look after more than one disabled person. It’s improving things for every carer out there who manages care for multiple people.

“When it comes to applying for support, I always say, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. It makes a real difference. Getting Carer Support Payment – it felt like I was getting recognition for the job that I had to do, looking after my daughter. If it wasn’t there, I don’t know how we would have got by.”

Background

From March 2026, in addition to Carer Support Payment, eligible carers will be able to receive:  

• Scottish Carer Supplement, which replaces Carer’s Allowance Supplement for carers in receipt of Carer Support Payment, providing more regular payment for carers in receipt of Carer Support Payment (£11.29 per week).
• Carer Additional Person Payment, an extra payment of £520 per year which is paid alongside Carer Support Payment. It is available to people with multiple caring roles. Carers may be eligible for more than one Carer Additional Person Payment if they are caring for more than one additional person.   

The switch from Carer’s Allowance Supplement to Scottish Carer Supplement will happen automatically for current recipients.

Carers who already get Carer Support Payment will receive a letter soon telling them about improvements to support and details of how to request Carer Additional Person Payment.

In November last year, Young Carer Grant was extended to include 19-year-olds – potentially benefiting an additional 1,200 carers next year and allowing young carers to get up to four payments from the age of 16.

Find out more about social security support for carers at mygov.scot/carers

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

Scotland’s unpaid carers over £4,400 better off – gov.scot