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For you as a carer

Carer's Allowance Supplement (Scotland)

A Scotland-only top-up paid automatically twice a year to people receiving Carer's Allowance. Worth around £290 per payment in 2026 — roughly £580 a year — and you don't need to apply.

£581 per yearInformation onlyLast verified 27 April 2026

Who it helps

Anyone living in Scotland on the qualifying dates (13 April and 12 October) who is in receipt of Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment.

The full picture

Carer's Allowance Supplement (CAS) is a Scotland-only top-up payment introduced by the Scottish Government in 2018 to recognise the additional financial pressure on unpaid carers. It's paid by Social Security Scotland twice a year, automatically, to anyone in Scotland receiving Carer's Allowance on the qualifying date.

Qualifying dates and payments in 2026: - 13 April 2026 — payment for the period October 2025 to March 2026 - 12 October 2026 — payment for the period April 2026 to September 2026

The payment is roughly £290 each time (£580 total per year). The exact figure is uprated annually in line with inflation.

You don't apply for CAS — Social Security Scotland identifies eligible carers from DWP records and pays automatically into the same bank account as your Carer's Allowance. If you receive Carer Support Payment (Scotland's replacement for Carer's Allowance, which is being rolled out gradually) the same supplement is included automatically.

If you think you should have received CAS but didn't, contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

Worth knowing before you apply

  • Scotland only — not available in England, Wales or Northern Ireland
  • Paid automatically — you don't apply
  • Two payments per year (April and October) of roughly £290 each
  • You must be on Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment on the qualifying date to receive the supplement
  • If your CA / CSP is suspended on the qualifying date (e.g. during a hospital stay) you don't get that round's CAS
  • CAS is taxable but doesn't count as income for means-tested benefits
  • You receive both Spring and Autumn payments even if your CA started part-way through the relevant period

How to claim

No application needed — Social Security Scotland pays it automatically. You'll receive a letter before each payment confirming the amount and date.

Independent advice

More help is out there

If your situation is complex, these UK-wide charities and government services can give free, independent advice.

Last verified 27 April 2026
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