Open letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice
Over 400 individuals and 30 organisations signed an open letter addressed to the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, regarding improving social security support for older adult unpaid carers with underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance (soon to be Carer Support Payment) in Scotland.
Thousands of unpaid carers do not receive Carer’s Allowance payment due to receiving their State Pension despite qualifying in all other eligibility criteria. Data published by the Scottish Government last year found that 40,937 unpaid carers were entitled to Carer’s Allowance but did not receive financial payments due to being in receipt of another benefit, most commonly State Pension.
The underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance has left many older adult unpaid carers feeling angry and disappointed, with many stating that their State Pension entitlement bears no relation their caring role. As well as feeling financially penalised for having a caring role, many feel as though they are no longer valued and recognised as an unpaid carer.
The letter, which was sent to the Cabinet Secretary in April 2024, is focused on actions to ensure that older adult unpaid carers are financially recognised for the contribution they make to society. Actions include introducing a specific recognition payment for older adult unpaid carers with underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance, and to commit to working with the UK Government to champion for State Pension to be disregarded in eligibility for Carer Support Payment.
To read the letter in full, and see the full list of organisations who signed, please click the link below.