Scottish Carer Supplement Explained: What It Is and How Much You Get
If you’re getting Carer Support Payment in Scotland, you’re very likely already receiving an automatic weekly top-up called the Scottish Carer Supplement — no application needed. Here’s exactly how it works.
What it is
The Scottish Carer Supplement is an extra payment made automatically to carers in Scotland who receive Carer Support Payment (Scotland’s replacement for the UK-wide Carer’s Allowance). It replaced the older Carer’s Allowance Supplement in March 2026.
The biggest change: instead of two large lump-sum payments a year under the old system, most carers now receive this supplement weekly or every four weeks, alongside their regular Carer Support Payment.
How much, and how it’s paid
The Scottish Carer Supplement is paid at roughly £11.70 a week, or £46.80 every four weeks, added automatically on top of Carer Support Payment. (Confirm the current rate on mygov.scot before relying on this figure.) You don’t need to apply separately.
Who qualifies
You qualify automatically if you’re receiving Carer Support Payment in Scotland. You do not qualify if you only have underlying entitlement to Carer Support Payment without actually receiving it, or if you’re only getting the carer element within Universal Credit without also receiving Carer Support Payment itself.
What about the old twice-a-year payment?
A small number of people still receive the older-style Carer’s Allowance Supplement as two lump sums a year (currently £304.65 each, paid in June and December) — but only if they remain on the older Carer’s Allowance rather than having moved to Carer Support Payment.
What if you think you should be getting it but aren’t
Check that your address and details are correctly recorded, and contact Social Security Scotland directly if something looks wrong.
How this fits with your other caregiver benefits
The Scottish Carer Supplement is separate from, and paid in addition to, Carer Support Payment itself and the carer element within Universal Credit.
Keeping track of it all
If you’re already navigating Carer Support Payment, the Scottish Carer Supplement, and potentially other support, FeatherKeep can help you keep records of your care hours and related costs organized for whatever comes next.