Thousands of households due extra £293 payment this December

Thousands of unpaid carers in Scotland will receive a second free payment worth £293.50 later this year.

Carer's Allowance Supplement is paid twice a year to people who are claiming Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on a specific date in Scotland. It is not available in England or Wales.

If you're in receipt of Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on October 18, 2025, then you will receive the £293.50 Carer's Allowance Supplement payment in December 2025.

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This is the second Carer's Allowance Supplement due in 2025, with the first payment having been issued in June 2025.

If you're due to get a payment, you'll get a letter from Social Security Scotland and the money will be paid to your regular bank account automatically.

You won't need to apply for it. Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer's Allowance for carers in Scotland. Both are worth £83.30 a week. You can find out who is eligible for Carer's Allowance below.

Carer's Allowance explained

Carer's Allowance is paid to those providing at least 35 hours of care a week. This can include helping someone with everyday tasks such as washing, managing bills, or taking them to doctor's appointments.

The person you're caring for must also receive one of the following benefits:

• Personal Independence Payment - daily living component

• Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate

• Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance - the middle or highest care rate

• Attendance Allowance

• Pension Age Disability Payment

• Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

• Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

• Child Disability Payment - the middle or highest care rate

• Adult Disability Payment - daily living component at the standard or enhanced rate

You must also be aged 16 or over, not in full-time education, and not studying for 21 hours a week or more. There is an earning limits, which sets how much someone can earn in income and still be eligible for Carer's Allowance. This is set at £196 a week.

If your earnings go over the limit - even by just £1 - you lose your entitlement to Carer's Allowance. You don't have to be related to the person you're caring for, and if more than one person cares for the same person, only one of you can claim Carer's Allowance.

You should keep in mind that claiming Carer's Allowance can affect the benefits of the person you're looking after, as well as your own.