What this indicator measures

This indicator assesses how well Scotland’s devolved social security system supports unpaid carers. It looks at eligibility criteria, payment amounts, take up rates, accessibility for different groups of carers and the extent to which financial support reduces poverty or improves the ability of carers to balance care with work, education and wellbeing.

Key findings

• Scotland provides additional financial support for carers through Carer’s Allowance Supplement and the Young Carer Grant, which are unique to Scotland
  
• The number of carers who qualify is small compared with the overall unpaid carer population
  
• Eligibility criteria, including requirements on hours of care and limits on earnings, exclude many carers who provide intensive support
  
• Payment levels do not reflect the true financial cost of caring and do not prevent poverty
  
• Young carers who qualify receive support, however young carers described the application process as “daunting and stressful”
• Older carers who receive a State Pension are unlikely to qualify for Carer Support Payment despite facing financial impacts from caring
  
• Carers who reduce paid work or leave employment due to caring responsibilities often experience long term income loss that current payments do not address

Impacts on families

Unpaid carers, especially women who provide the majority of unpaid care, frequently experience financial hardship. Many must reduce working hours or leave employment entirely, which limits income and increases long term financial insecurity. Young carers report that restricting financial support to only one young carer within a household lacks understanding of the whole-family role in caring. Older carers face financial pressure while being ineligible for key payments.

Accessibility considerations

Eligibility rules restrict access for many groups of unpaid carers. Carers on low incomes are disproportionately affected by the limits on earnings and working hours. Young carers may lack support to access grants or navigate the system. Older carers receiving a State Pension face financial strain yet are excluded from Carer Support Payment. These barriers mean financial support is not reaching those who need it most.

Budget context

While Scotland funds additional support through supplements and grants, overall investment does not match the scale of unpaid care provided. Budget levels do not reflect the true economic value of unpaid care or the financial losses experienced by carers who cannot sustain paid work. Payment levels remain low relative to the costs of caring, and there is no confirmed plan to widen eligibility or increase rates in line with need.

Lived experience

Participants in the carer focus group for this project described the payment as a “token gesture”

Overall interpretation

Scotland’s approach to social security for unpaid carers includes important innovations, but it is not yet providing meaningful financial security for most carers. Eligibility criteria and low payment levels limit impact. Women, who provide most unpaid care, are particularly affected, with many reducing work or falling into poverty because of caring responsibilities. Stronger investment, wider eligibility and payments that reflect the real cost of caring are needed to address these gaps.