Benefits and Grants
Benefits and grants for unpaid carers in Scotland
There are a number of benefits, payments and grants that you or the person you care for may be eligible for.
Some payments provide financial support directly to unpaid carers. Others help the person receiving care with the additional costs of disability, illness or a long-term health condition. There may also be other financial help available to your household.
The information on this page includes benefit rates for 2026–27. Benefit amounts and eligibility rules can change, so please check the linked official guidance for the most up-to-date information.
Financial support for unpaid carers
Carer Support Payment
Carer Support Payment is a benefit for unpaid carers in Scotland. It has replaced Carer’s Allowance for new claims in Scotland and is administered by Social Security Scotland.
You may be able to get Carer Support Payment if you:
- are aged 16 or over and meet the residence requirements
- provide unpaid care for at least 35 hours a week
- care for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit
- have weekly take-home earnings of no more than £204 (2026–27 earnings limit) after allowable deductions
- meet the other eligibility conditions.
You may be able to receive Carer Support Payment while studying. The rules depend on your age and the type of education you are undertaking.
- If you are aged 20 or over and studying full-time: you may qualify, regardless of the type of course you are studying.
- If you are aged 16 to 19 and studying full-time at university or on an advanced college course, such as an HNC or HND, you may qualify if you meet the other eligibility conditions.
- If you are aged 16 to 19 and studying full-time for qualifications such as National Qualifications or Highers: different rules apply and you will not normally qualify. There are some exceptions, including certain circumstances relating to your family, caring responsibilities, disability or how you are studying.
If you are aged 16 to 19 and studying full-time, check the detailed rules before deciding that you cannot claim.
Carer Support Payment is £86.45 a week (2026–27 rate).
The person you care for must receive a qualifying benefit at the required rate. These include certain rates of Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and other specified benefits.
Carer Support Payment can interact with other benefits, so claiming it may affect the amount of other benefits you or your household receive.
Find out more and check whether you can apply:
Carer Support Payment – mygov.scot
Scottish Carer Supplement
Scottish Carer Supplement is an additional payment for eligible unpaid carers who receive Carer Support Payment.
It is paid automatically alongside Carer Support Payment, so you do not need to make a separate application.
Scottish Carer Supplement is £11.70 a week, or £46.80 every four weeks (2026–27 rate).
A small number of people who continue to receive Carer’s Allowance rather than Carer Support Payment may still receive Carer’s Allowance Supplement under the transitional arrangements.
Find out more:
Scottish Carer Supplement – mygov.scot
Carer Additional Person Payment
Carer Additional Person Payment provides extra financial support for carers who receive Carer Support Payment and care for more than one person.
You may qualify if you provide at least 20 hours of care a week to each additional person and meet the other eligibility conditions.
The payment is £10.40 a week, or £41.60 every four weeks, for each additional person (2026–27 rate) who meets the qualifying conditions.
Find out more:
Carer Support Payment – additional people you care for – mygov.scot
Young Carer Grant
Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment for young people in Scotland who have a caring role.
You may be eligible if you:
- are aged 16, 17, 18 or 19
- live in Scotland and meet the residence requirements
- provide care for an average of at least 16 hours a week over a three-month period
- care for someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit
- meet the other eligibility conditions.
The payment is £405.10 a year (2026–27 rate).
You can apply each year that you remain eligible. You do not have to spend the money on anything related to caring and you do not have to tell Social Security Scotland what you spend it on.
Find out more and apply:
Young Carer Grant – mygov.scot
Benefits for the person you care for
The person you care for may be entitled to disability benefits to help with the additional costs of their condition or support needs.
These benefits are separate from benefits for unpaid carers. If the person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit, this may also mean that you can qualify for Carer Support Payment if you meet the other eligibility conditions.
Child Disability Payment
Child Disability Payment helps with the extra costs of caring for a disabled child or young person.
It has two components:
- Care component: for children and young people who need help with personal care or supervision.
- Mobility component: for children and young people who have difficulty getting around.
The amount paid depends on the child or young person’s needs and the rate they qualify for.
Child Disability Payment replaced Disability Living Allowance for children in Scotland. Existing awards are being transferred to Social Security Scotland, so families do not normally need to make a new claim simply because of the change.
Find out more:
Child Disability Payment – mygov.scot
Adult Disability Payment
Adult Disability Payment helps people with a disability or long-term physical or mental health condition with the additional costs they may face.
You may be able to apply if you are aged 16 or over and under State Pension age and meet the eligibility requirements. You may qualify for one or both of the following:
- Daily living component: if you need help with everyday activities.
- Mobility component: if you have difficulty getting around.
Adult Disability Payment replaced Personal Independence Payment for new claims in Scotland. Existing PIP awards are being transferred to Social Security Scotland without people having to make a new claim.
Find out more:
Adult Disability Payment – mygov.scot
Pension Age Disability Payment
Pension Age Disability Payment helps people of State Pension age who have a disability or long-term health condition and need help with personal care or supervision.
It is not means-tested. The amount depends on the level of help or supervision needed.
Pension Age Disability Payment is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland. Existing Attendance Allowance awards are being transferred to Social Security Scotland in stages.
Find out more:
Pension Age Disability Payment – mygov.scot
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance is a benefit for eligible disabled adults in Scotland who were receiving Disability Living Allowance before the move to the new Scottish system.
It can help with additional costs arising from care and mobility needs.
It is not generally open to new applicants, but existing awards may continue under the Scottish arrangements.
Find out more:
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance – mygov.scot
Help with heating costs
Child Winter Heating Payment
Child Winter Heating Payment helps families with the additional heating costs that can arise when a disabled child or young person has higher support needs.
The payment is £265.50 a year (2026–27 rate).
It is available to eligible children and young people under 19 who receive a qualifying disability benefit at the required rate during the qualifying period.
Eligible payments are normally made automatically, so families do not usually need to apply.
Find out more:
Child Winter Heating Payment – mygov.scot
Winter Heating Payment
Winter Heating Payment is an annual payment to help eligible people in Scotland with their heating costs.
The payment is £62 a year (2026–27 rate).
Eligibility is linked to receiving certain benefits and meeting the qualifying conditions. Payments are generally made automatically.
Find out more:
Winter Heating Payment – mygov.scot
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment helps eligible older people in Scotland with their winter heating costs.
Eligibility and the amount paid depend on factors including age, household circumstances and certain benefits.
Some people will receive a payment automatically, while others may need to apply.
Find out more:
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment – mygov.scot
Other financial support
Young Patients Family Fund
The Young Patients Family Fund can help with travel and food costs for eligible family members visiting a young inpatient receiving hospital care in Scotland.
You may be able to claim if you are the parent, primary carer or an eligible sibling of a child or young person under 18 who is receiving inpatient care.
The fund can help with eligible travel expenses and food costs, subject to the scheme’s rules.
Claims generally need to be made within three months of the young person being discharged.
The fund does not cover ordinary outpatient appointments.
Find out more:
Young Patients Family Fund – mygov.scot
Scottish Child Payment
Scottish Child Payment helps eligible low-income families with the costs of bringing up children.
The payment is £28.20 a week for each eligible child (2026–27 rate).
It is normally paid every four weeks.
To qualify, you must live in Scotland, be responsible for a child who meets the age requirements, and receive a qualifying benefit yourself or through your partner.
Find out more and apply:
Scottish Child Payment – mygov.scot
Pension Credit
Pension Credit provides extra money for people who have reached State Pension age and are on a low income.
You may qualify even if you have some savings, a pension or other income. Eligibility depends on your individual and household circumstances.
Pension Credit can also provide additional amounts in certain circumstances, including where someone has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Receiving Pension Credit can help you qualify for other forms of support, including help with housing costs and some other living expenses.
Find out more, check your eligibility and apply:
Check what support you may be entitled to
Benefits can interact with one another, and claiming one payment may affect the amount you receive from another. The rules can also depend on your age, income, education, residence, the benefits received by the person you care for and your individual caring circumstances.
The benefits and payments listed here are not a complete list of all the financial support that may be available.
For information about benefits and financial support in Scotland, visit:
mygov.scot – Benefits and grants
You can also contact your local carers centre for information and signposting to sources of benefits advice.
Benefit rates on this page are for 2026–27. Please check the official guidance linked above for current rates, eligibility and application information.