Carer support payment priority improvements: impact assessment updates
Outlines the updates made and considered to the impact assessments considered for The Carer’s Assistance (Young Carer Grant And Carer Support Payment) (Miscellaneous Amendment And Saving Provision) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.
Policy summary
The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Regulations 2023 (the principal regulations) set out the rules and eligibility criteria for Carer Support Payment. It provides a form of financial assistance for carers who:
- are aged 16 or over
- usually live in Scotland
- provide care for 35 hours or more a week to someone in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit
- do not earn more than the earnings threshold of £196 (2025-26 rate)
Carer Support Payment began replacing Carer’s Allowance in Scotland in November 2023 and became available nationally on 4 November 2024. The Carer’s Assistance (Carer Support Payment) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 came into force in June 2024. These made provisions for the roll out of the benefit, and to extend eligibility to an additional group of students aged 16-19 with exceptional circumstances. Case Transfer, the process of transferring all Carer’s Allowance awards for carers in Scotland from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to Carer Support Payment paid by Social Security Scotland), began February 2024 and is due to be completed in 2025.
Contact
Email: CarerBenefitPolicy@gov.scot