Carers set to receive cash boost benefit

Carers in East Kilbride and Avondale will be given a boost this month when they receive the first payment of a new benefit.

And the new carer’s allowance supplement will be backdated to April.

It will be paid twice a year by Social Security Scotland – the first major new public service to be created since devolution.

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

The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is worth more than £30 million a year and will benefit 5388 people throughout South Lanarkshire.

Carers will receive letters from Social Security Scotland this week so that they know in advance to expect a payment.

East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani has welcomed the new benefit.

She said: “This rollout of the carer’s allowance supplement marks the beginning of a bright new chapter in Scottish public service.

“Constituents have been calling for some time now for a fairer system of social security – one that affords carers the dignity and respect they are due as a result of their selfless dedication.

“We appreciate the contribution carers make to our society and we have always advocated that carer’s allowance should be the same rate as jobseeker’s allowance.

“It follows that the new powers over social security mean that we can make this a reality and put more money into the pockets of carers as a thank you for their tireless efforts.”