ADDITIONAL DOUBLE PAYMENT SEES CARERS IN WEST LOTHIAN RECEIVE UP TO £694.20 MORE THAN REST OF UK

ADDITIONAL DOUBLE PAYMENT SEES CARERS IN WEST LOTHIAN RECEIVE UP TO £694.20 MORE THAN REST OF UK

3,065  carers in West Lothian have received the Scottish Government Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments, unique in the UK, since it was introduced in September 2018.

The Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment introduced by the Scottish Government for people in West Lothian and across Scotland, who get Carer's Allowance. Awarding a double payment was a decision taken by the Scottish Government to recognise the extra burden the pandemic has placed on carers. The additional payment meant that carers here in West Lothian received up to £462.80 in December 2021. This is second time a double payment has been made with the first being in summer 2020.

Angela Constance MSP has welcomed the Scottish Government’s additional payments which mean that eligible carers in West Lothian received up to £694.20 more in support last year than carers in the rest of the UK.

Commenting Ms Constance said:

“Carers have undoubtably been particularly hard hit throughout the pandemic so I’m glad the Scottish Government choose to address this by introducing an additional Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment which helped support 3,065 carers in West Lothian.

“The Scottish Government’s commitment to help improve the lives of carers is an incredibly important one. Carers make an immense contribution to the health and wellbeing of loved ones and it is essential that they have the support they need to provide care and have a fulfilling life.

“The Carer’s Allowance Supplement was the first payment the Scottish Government introduced when establishing Scotland’s new social security system in 2018. In total, £188 million has been paid to carers since its launch and it is making a huge difference to carers.

“We are using the powers we have in Scotland to build a social security system in Scotland centred on the principles of dignity, fairness and respect but that is set against a cruel system at Westminster which is cutting support at a time when those on the lowest incomes need it most. That is why the people of Scotland must have the choice to choose a different path which gives Scotland full powers over social security, so we can provide for those that need it most.”

ENDS

NOTES

Nearly 82,000 carers benefit from additional double payment - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Carer's Allowance Supplement, October eligibility date 2021 and Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Severe Disablement Allowance at August 2021: statistics

Percentage of Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments by local authority – October 2021 eligibility date

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