Carer’s Allowance: Households to get extra £246 this winter but only in parts of the UK | Personal Finance | Finance
People who care for someone at least 35 hours a week could be able to claim Carer’s Allowance Supplement. It is awarded to claimants by Social Security Scotland so it is only available to those who live in that country. The benefit payment is paid twice a year and is only for those who are already in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.
These payments are £245.70 for each new instalment with Carer’s Allowance Supplement combined adding up to £491.40.
Unpaid carers in the country received their first payment for the year on June 10, 2022 but to get this they must be claiming Carer’s Allowance as of April 11, 2022.
Social Security Scotland reports the next instalment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be paid sometime in December 2022.
Claimants of Carer’s Allowance must have been in receipt of their DWP payments from October 10, 2022.
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Carer’s Allowance Supplement claimants are being told that some payments may take slightly longer than usual to be received.
If someone has not received a letter or first payment by Friday June 17, 2022, they must reach out to Social Security Scotland.
The easiest way to do this is by calling the Government department’s phone line at 0800 182 2222.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, emphasised the importance of unpaid carers getting the support they deserve.
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Ms Somerville said: “Making these payments will represent a historic moment, launching a new public service that will deliver a social security system that treats people with dignity, fairness and respect.
“We recognise the important contribution carers make, and we believe the current total paid out to them is not enough.
“This supplementary payment allows us to get more money in the pockets of carers in Scotland as quickly as possible.
“We have always made it clear we believe that Carer’s Allowance should be the same rate as Jobseeker’s Allowance.
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“Having new powers over social security means we can make this a reality and this additional payment is in recognition of the important contribution carers make to society.”
Upon the payment’s launch in 2020, unpaid carer Collette McAlpine shared why Carer’s Allowance Supplement would be so beneficial to her.
The 32-year old explained: “I’m a full time carer, to both my husband and son, who is 14.
“My son has Aspergers, and after my husband had an accident five years ago, I needed to stop working to care for them both full time. The extra money will ease the financial burden and provide a real cash boost for our family.”
Previously speaking to Express.co.uk, a DWP spokesperson said: “We recognise and value the vital contribution made by carers every day to support family and friends, including pensioners and those with disabilities.
“Nearly 60 percent of working age people on Carer’s Allowance will get a Cost of Living Payment – £650 for people on means-tested benefits and other targeted payments for families caring for a pensioner or a disabled person.
“On top of this all households will receive £400 through the Energy Bill Support Scheme and we have extended the Household Support Fund by £500 million.
“Families caring for a pensioner or a disabled person will benefit from other targeted cost of living payments such as Carer’s Allowance. Families can also receive an additional £2,000 a year through the carer’s element in Universal Credit and may be entitled to further support through the benefits system.”
