2500+ CARERS IN DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY TO RECEIVE EXTRA PAYMENT

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More than 2500 carers in Dumfries & Galloway are due to benefit from a one-off payment during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scottish Government has revealed plans to invest £19.2million to provide further support to Scottish carers during the Covid-19 crisis.

If approved by parliament, around 83,000 eligible carers across Scotland will get an extra £230.10 through a special one-off Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement in June – with around 2505 in Dumfries & Galloway benefitting from this additional financial support.

The extra payment will be paid automatically to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.

South Scotland MSP Emma Harper said:

“Carers in Dumfries & Galloway make an absolutely vital contribution to our society, and it’s only appropriate that their hard work is valued and they are properly supported by the Scottish Government. This one-off payment will benefit carers who are on low incomes and already have some of the most intense caring roles, providing at least 35 hours unpaid care weekly to a disabled child or adult in receipt of higher level disability benefits.

“This additional payment will be an acknowledgement to carers that we know they are providing vital support to family, friends and neighbours, and playing an absolutely crucial role in our collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. I am delighted that carers in Dumfries & Galloway are being recognised by the Scottish Government for the important contribution they make to our communities in these extremely difficult circumstances.”

Cllr Stephen Thompson, who is also D&G Council’s representative on COSLA’s Health & Social Care Board, added:

“This will be very welcome for those who meet the criteria, although there are still many people caring for family members who won’t be in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. The Scottish Government is taking the right approach in trying to ensure no-one gets left behind but there is still work to do.”

Table 3a: Number of Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments – by Local Authority 2019/20.

Local Authority(1) – April eligibility

Aberdeen City – 1,640

Aberdeenshire – 2,130

Angus – 1,560

Argyll & Bute – 1,065

City of Edinburgh – 4,735

Clackmannanshire – 925

Dumfries & Galloway – 2,505

Dundee City – 2,615

East Ayrshire – 2,445

East Dunbartonshire – 1,075

East Lothian – 1,240

East Renfrewshire – 990

Falkirk – 2,540

Fife – 6,080

Glasgow City – 13,215

Highland – 2,885

Inverclyde – 1,590

Midlothian – 1,350

Moray – 995

Na h-Eileanan Siar – 255

North Ayrshire – 2,765

North Lanarkshire – 6,865

Orkney Islands – 205

Perth & Kinross – 1,700

Renfrewshire – 2,680

Scottish Borders – 1,275

Shetland Islands – 150

South Ayrshire – 1,810

South Lanarkshire – 5,745

Stirling – 1,090

West Dunbartonshire – 1,780

West Lothian – 2,840

Unknown – 150