A Falkirk carer has spoken about the positive impact of getting financial support from Social Security Scotland.

Mandy cares for her 15-year-old son who has ADHD and autism; her older son who has problems with drugs and alcohol and his mental health, and her mother who is terminally ill. She says that identifying as a carer, and contacting Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers on Bank Street, was the first step towards getting help with her role.

She said: “I found it quite stressful to manage caring for multiple family members and working full-time at the same time. But it took me a long time to give up my work because I didn’t see caring as a role – I saw it as my responsibility. Things changed when I started identifying as a carer – I had a lot more rights.”

One of the things Mandy was entitled to was social security support. With this year’s Carers Week coming to a close, Mandy is urging other carers to investigate their support options – including social security payments.

Falkirk carer Mandy is urging other unpaid carers to seek support.

placeholder image — Falkirk carer Mandy is urging other unpaid carers to seek support.

She said: “I receive Carer Support Payment. The support from Social Security Scotland has helped me concentrate on my caring role and made life easier for me.”

Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, is encouraging carers like Mandy to find out more about the support that’s available to them.

Ms Somerville said: “Our recently improved package of support, which is unique to Scotland, recognises the vital role that carers play in our society. As a result, Scotland’s carers receive greater support than carers anywhere else in the UK.

“I would urge anyone who cares for someone to find out more about the support available from Social Security Scotland and in their local area.”

Following a number of improvements earlier this year, Social Security Scotland now delivers four different payments for carers – Scottish Carer Supplement, Young Carer Grant and the new Carer Additional Person Payment provide extra money only available in Scotland.

As of March this year, 4,190 carers in Falkirk were receiving Carer Support Payment – and more could be entitled to help.

Sharlene Rammage, Carer Participation Development Worker at Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers, said: “We support carers to apply for any benefits that they may be eligible for. Thanks to funding from the Falkirk HSCP, we are able to work in partnership with our wonderful Citizens Advice colleague Lyn McKay. Falkirk’s carers receive a full benefit check, and this ensures that they are receiving the Social Security Scotland benefits that they are entitled to.”