Carers Rights Day: Know Your Rights, Use Your Rights. A Guide for Hamilton’s Unpaid Carers
- Mandy Burrell
- 3 hours ago
- 5 min read
The theme for this week’s Carers Rights Day, held on Thursday 20th November, is Know your rights, use your rights and it's all about making sure you understand what you're entitled to and feel confident asking for it.
Every single day, 12,000 people across the UK become unpaid carers with around 800,000 unpaid carers living in Scotland.
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.
The significance of Carers Rights Day
Carers Rights Day brings together charities, government organisations, and the wider public to raise awareness of carers’ legal rights, and to ensure that no one misses out on the support they are entitled to.
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 carer has the right to have their own needs assessed through a carers assessment. Local authorities must provide information and advice services covering everything from emergency care planning to income maximisation. This isn't a tick-box exercise, it's a real conversation about what would help you manage caring while still having a life of your own. A chance to be heard and to get practical support tailored to your needs.
Financial support
Carer Support Payment: This has replaced the old Carer’s Allowance for new applications in Scotland. The weekly rate is currently £83.30. You normally need to provide at least 35 hours of care per week, and your earnings must be below a certain threshold. From April 2025, the earnings limit increased from £151 to £196 a week after tax and National Insurance.
You can check if you're eligible and apply here.
Carer's Allowance Supplement: If you're receiving Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance, you'll get this automatically, no application needed. This is paid twice a year, in June and December. You’ll get the December payment if you were receiving Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on 13 October 2025. If you're due to get a payment, you'll get a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made.
Young Carer Grant: If you're aged 16-18 and caring for someone at least 16 hours a week on average, for the last three months, you could receive £390.25 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 already 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 to up to five days' unpaid leave per year. It might not seem like much, but when you need to attend hospital appointments or deal with an emergency, 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 more than once a year. 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 protects carers from being discriminated against in work because of their caring responsibilities. If you've been treated unfairly at work or when accessing services because you're a carer, that's not okay, and the law is on your side.
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 what they’re entitled to, leaving many unpaid carers missing out on payments and support. Carers often don’t see themselves as carers, so they don’t apply for help.
How to get help here in Hamilton
Request an Adult Carer Support Plan
Contact South Lanarkshire Council or Lanarkshire Carers to start the assessment. This personalised plan can unlock support and guidance for your caring role.
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.
Make that call, fill in that form, request that meeting.
For more information about carers' rights across Scotland, visit Carers UK Scotland.
