Thousands on benefits to get unexpected payment worth £288 in to bank accounts before this weekend

THOUSANDS on benefits will get a payment worth £288 starting this weekend.

Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an extra payment for people who claim Carer Support Payment or Cares Allowance in Scotland.

The cash boost is handed out by the government twice a year to those claiming the benefit.

Its purpose is to give extra financial support to people who are taking care of someone who is unwell or vulnerable.

The first payment of £288.60 was made on June 7 this year and now a second payment is set to be made in just days.

The Scottish Government has confirmed that the next payment of £288.60 will land in carers bank accounts from Friday, December 6.

If you are expecting to get this payment you should receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made.

However, if you have not received a letter by December 16 then you should get in touch with the government agency.

It is also worth bearing in mind that you need to be living in Scotland and also have been claiming Carers Support Payment or Carers Allowance since at least October 7.

Also, if you did not get a Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment in June 2024, you’ll get this payment in December 2024 if either: 

• You were getting Carer’s Allowance on April 8 2024 
• Your award for Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment was backdated to April 8 2024

You also do not need to apply to get the payment as it is given to you automatically if you are already claiming carers.

You can apply for Carers Support Payment by visiting, www.mygov.scot.

WHAT IF I DON’T LIVE IN SCOTLAND

There are plenty of support measures in place for households worried about costs this winter.

If your weekly income is below £218.15 if you are single or £332.95 if you are married or living with a partner then you should apply for Pension Credit.

It is thought over 800,000 pensioners could be eligible for the support but do not claim.

Households looking to claim the support can do so over the phone or via the post.

You can also get support through the Household Support Fund.

The scheme, which is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions, was first launched in 2021 but has been extended many times.

What you’re able to access depends on whereabouts you live, and the money will either be given to you as a direct cash transfer, shopping vouchers or in another form.

Funding is given to local councils to distribute, so the amount handed out varies across the country.

But in the past, some families have had up to £500 help.

To find out what you may be eligible for, visit your local council’s website.

If you’re unsure of the name of your council, find out using the Government’s council locator tool.

CHANGES TO BENEFITS IN SCOTLAND

Earlier this year the Scottish Government finished its rollout of a new benefit which replaced Carers Allowance in the country,

The new benefit – known as the Carer Support Payment- was trialled 12 months ago but has now been fully completed.

If you lived in Scotland and claimed Carers Allowance the transition was automatic.

The benefit is almost identical to Carers Allowance, but officials say that unpaid carers who are in full-time education could also be eligible for the payment.

However, unlike the benefit which is claimed across the rest of the UK, some young people in full-time education will be eligible.

This includes full-time students aged 20 or over and students under 20 who are in advanced or higher education.

It is worth bearing in mind that this change only applies to Scottish residents.

So if you live in England or Wales you will continue to receive Carers Allowance which is paid by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

The benefit is worth £81.90 per week.