SNP MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Alasdair Allan has said that the nationwide rollout of the Scottish Government’s Carer Support Payment is a "milestone moment". 

The Carer Support Payment, which is a payment of £81.90 per week paid by Social Security Scotland, has been introduced in phases since November 2023, with the Western Isles being one of the first regions to receive the support. As of yesterday, it is now now available to people living in every local authority in Scotland.

This support is for unpaid carers who provide 35 or more hours of care a week to someone who gets disability benefits and as part of the rollout some applicants may be able to backdate their payments to the initial rollout date. 

Unpaid carers perform a vital role in our society and the SNP Government is taking action to ensure that they have the full support that they require.

Commenting, SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said:

“The Western Isles was one of the first regions to offer the Carer Support Payment scheme to help our valued and unpaid carers.

“These payments of £81.90 a week have been a crucial way to support unpaid carers who excel themselves to help those they care for and support our wider society. So, it truly is a milestone moment to see these payments rolled out across Scotland.

“The SNP have used the powers of the Scottish Parliament to ensure Social Security Scotland helps create a fairer Scotland that treats all with respect. This is the fourteenth Scottish benefit to be created to make that vision of Scotland a more visible reality.”