Carers Rights: Know Your Rights, Use Your Rights. A Guide for Hamilton’s Unpaid Carers
Updated: Aug 21
Our Carers Rights guide is all about helping you to understand what you're entitled to and to feel confident asking for it.
Every day, 12,000 people across the UK become unpaid carers, while the latest figures estimate that around 722,000 unpaid carers are living in Scotland, including 23,000 young carers.
Many people who care for a family member or friend don’t even think of themselves as “carers” we're just helping someone we love. If you're providing regular unpaid care, you're entitled to support, recognition, and financial help.
Your Rights as a Carer
Only a minority of carers across Scotland report feeling properly supported in their caring role, and every year thousands of people across Scotland leave paid employment because they can't balance work with caring responsibilities.
That needs to change.
Caring for someone shouldn't mean you have to give up your job, your health, or your own wellbeing. With the right support and by knowing your rights, this doesn't have to be your story.
What rights do you have as a carer in Scotland?
Adult Carer Support Plan (ACSP)
Under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, every unpaid adult carer has the right to have their own needs identified through an Adult Carer Support Plan. This looks at how caring affects your life and wellbeing, what matters to you, and what support could help.
Local authorities must provide information and advice services covering everything from emergency care planning to income maximisation. This is a conversation about what would help you manage caring while still having a life of your own. A chance to be heard and to get the practical support you need.
Young Carer Statement
If you're under 18 and care for someone, or you're 18 and still at school, you have the right to a Young Carer Statement. This looks at your caring responsibilities, how they affect your wellbeing and everyday life, and what support you might need. It also considers whether the amount and type of care you're providing is appropriate for your age, helping to make sure that you have the opportunity to enjoy your own education and life outside caring.
Financial support
Carer Support Payment: This has replaced the old Carer’s Allowance for new applications in Scotland. The weekly rate is currently £86.45. You normally need to provide at least 35 hours of care per week, and your earnings must be below a certain threshold. From April 2026, the earnings limit is £204 a week after tax and National Insurance.
Scottish Carer Supplement: From March 2026, Scottish Carer Supplement replaced Carer's Allowance Supplement for people receiving Carer Support Payment. You don't need to apply, if you receive Carer Support Payment, you'll get it automatically. It's currently worth £11.70 a week and is paid at the same time as your Carer Support Payment. Note that a small number of carers who still receive Carer's Allowance rather than Carer Support Payment will continue to receive Carer's Allowance Supplement.
Carer Additional Person Payment.
You could also get £10.40 a week for each additional eligible person
Young Carer Grant: If you're aged 16-19 and caring for someone at least 16 hours a week on average, for the last three months, you could receive £405.10 annually. This money is yours to spend however you need it. You can find out more and apply here.
Carer’s Credit: Helps build your National Insurance record if you provide care for one or more disabled person(s) for a total of 20 hours or more each week, and they are getting a qualifying benefit. You will automatically be getting Carer’s Credits if you get Carer’s Allowance/Carer Support Payment, or get Child Benefit for a child under the age of 12.
It’s important to get these credits as your State Pension is based on your National Insurance record. You can apply here.
Your rights at work
In 2024, the Carer's Leave Act became law, giving employees the legal right of up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave every 12 months. It might not seem like much, but when you need to attend hospital appointments or deal with caring responsibilities, those days can be a lifeline and can help you stay in employment.
The introduction of the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Act means that anyone, including unpaid carers, has the right to request flexible working from day one of employment, and you can change your flexible working arrangement with up to two statutory requests in any 12-month period. This could mean starting earlier or later, working from home, or even job-sharing. Your employer must consider your request seriously. Talking to your employer about changing work hours or location can make a big difference.
The Equality Act 2010 can protect carers from discrimination because of their association with a disabled person. For example, an employer should not treat you less favourably because you care for a disabled child, partner or parent.
Health and social care rights
You can ask your GP practice to identify you as a carer. When you do this, you might be prioritised for flu vaccinations and other health campaigns. And let's be honest, you can't look after someone else if you're not well yourself.
When the person you care for is discharged from hospital, carers should be closely involved, as long as the person you care for consents to this.
If you’re caring for someone and money is tight, these rights are especially important. The assistance available can make a real difference to your weekly budget and it’s also recognition that your time, effort, and emotional labour matter.
But many carers don't claim the support they're entitled to. People often don't recognise themselves as carers. They may just see themselves as looking after a partner, parent, child, relative or friend, meaning they can miss out on financial, practical and emotional support.
Make sure you don't.
How to get help here in Hamilton
Request an Adult Carer Support Plan
If you're an unpaid adult carer, you can request an Adult Carer Support Plan from South Lanarkshire Council or contact Lanarkshire Carers. It starts with a conversation about your caring role, how it affects your life and wellbeing, and what support could help you now and in the future.
Request a Young Carers Statement
If you're under 18, or 18 and still at school, and help to care for someone, can get support through the South Lanarkshire Young Carers Service, delivered by Action for Children.
Tell your GP you're a carer so it's recorded on your medical records.
Check your eligibility for financial support using an online benefits calculator, or if you want more information and support around your entitlements, you can contact us at Hamilton Citizens Advice and we will be happy to help. Or you could contact Money Matters at South Lanarkshire Council. Some of the rules for benefits when caring can be quite complex, so it’s a good thing to seek guidance and support, to ensure that you’re not missing out.
Talk to your employer. Ask for flexible working or Carer’s Leave if you need to adjust your hours. It’s your legal right, knowing this can help you feel more confident to speak up.
Access local support networks
Lanarkshire Carers offer a wealth of support including information and advice, short breaks support, social activities, support groups and legal clinics.
Lanarkshire Links offer support when you’re caring for someone with a mental health problem.
South Lanarkshire Young Carers raise awareness, identify, and provide a range of support to young carers.
You're doing something incredible by caring for someone. But you don't have to do it without support. The help is there and sometimes it's just about knowing your rights and using them.
If you’re caring for someone, take a moment today to check your rights and access the support that helps you keep caring without sacrificing your own wellbeing.
For more information about carers' rights across Scotland, visit Carers UK Scotland.
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