Explainers
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Allowance (CA) is paid to help individuals who care for someone who is disabled and has substantial caring needs. It has been devolved since September 2018 and the Scottish Government has also introduced a Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS) so that total support for carers matches the level of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
The first payments of the supplement were made in September 2018. The Scottish Government plans to replace Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Allowance Supplement with a new Scottish Carer’s Assistance.
Social Security Scotland also provide an annual Young Carer Grant for carers under nineteen. We do not produce a forecast for this as spending is below our materiality threshold.
Latest forecast
Forecast spending for Carer’s Allowance and carer’s Allowance Supplement
| £ Million | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 | 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carer’s Allowance (CA) | 296 | 301 | 322 | 359 | 387 | 411 | 436 |
| Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS) | 59 | 61 | 43 | 47 | 51 | 55 | 58 |
| Total Expenditure | 355 | 362 | 365 | 406 | 438 | 466 | 493 |
Carer’s Allowance Supplement spending in 2020-21 and 2021-22 includes the additional Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement paid in June 2020 and the double payment announced for December 2021.