Aberdeenshire unpaid carers urged to check eligibility for financial support
Unpaid carers in the north-east have been urged to check their eligibility for financial support from Social Security Scotland.
The call comes following the figures in the latest census, which shows that there are 25,255 unpaid carers in Aberdeenshire.
Earlier in November, Scotland's Carer Support Payment, which replaces Carer’s Allowance in Scotland, was rolled out across the country, expanding eligibility to those who are in full-time education, and introducing backdating for some applicants.
This joins a suite of support for carers only available in Scotland, like the Young Carer Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement.
Unpaid carers in Aberdeenshire are being urged to check their eligibility for the financial support available from Social Security Scotland.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said: “Unpaid carers go above and beyond to support those they care for – so it is absolutely vital that they access the support they are entitled to.
“The latest figures show that there are 25,255 unpaid carers in Aberdeenshire. I would urge all of them to ensure they are receiving the support they deserve.
“The Scottish Government developed Social Security Scotland with the principles of dignity, fairness and respect at its heart, and the new Carer Support Payment is no different – improving on Carer’s Allowance by making those in full time education eligible and introducing backdating for some applicants.
“I would urge all unpaid carers in Aberdeenshire to check their eligibility for financial support available from Social Security Scotland.”