New payment for carers welcomed

Roseanna Cunningham MSP has welcomed the news that carers in Perthshire South and Kinrossshire will receive the first payments of the new Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

The news from the cabinet secretary for social security confirms payments will start from mid-September and will be back-dated to April.

Eligible carers will get a supplementary payment of £221, equivalent to an extra £8.50 per week, an increase of 13 per cent on carer’s allowance from the Department of Work and Pensions.

Ms Cunningham, MSP for the Perthshire South and Kinrossshire constituency, said:“The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is a new benefit which will be paid twice a year by Social Security Scotland, the first major new public service to be created since devolution.

“The day when the first of these payments is made will be a historic moment as it will mark the launch of a new public service by the Scottish Government intent on delivering a social security that treats people with dignity, fairness and respect.

“I am particularly pleased that the first group to benefit from the new system will be our carers.

“It is a recognition of the important contribution they make to our society and they are very deserving indeed of this increased income.

“Across the country, the Carer’s Allowance Supplement is worth more than £30 million a year and will benefit more than 75,000 carers.”

Carers who are entitled to this payment will be receiving letters from Social Security Scotland from the week beginning September 10, so that they know in advance to expect a payment which will be made in the same way as they receive their usual carer’s allowance payments.

Carers do not have extra forms to fill in.