Co-op Buildings
East Loan, Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland EH32 9ED
WE ARE A SCOTTISH CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION - No SC020282
East Loan, Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland EH32 9ED
When someone you love needs care, you get on with helping them. There are appointments to remember, medicines to organise and all the everyday things that can become a little harder.
Finding out about benefits probably isn’t at the top of your list. You might not even think of yourself as a carer. You’re just looking after your husband, wife, parent or friend.
But caring can put a strain on the household finances, especially if you’ve cut back your working hours or given up work altogether. And finding out what help is available isn’t always straightforward.
A recent conversation with a bereaved family reminded us how frightening money worries can be when you’re already coping with so much. It prompted us to bring together some useful starting points for our members, carers and families.
You don’t need to know the names of benefits or understand all the rules before asking for help.
If you only take one thing from this page, make it this: ask for a benefits check. Even if you already receive something, there may be other help worth checking.
If you’re in East Lothian, you can contact the council’s Financial Inclusion Team on 01620 827827, or email [email protected].
You can simply explain:
“Our circumstances have changed and I’m worried about money. Could someone help us check what we’re entitled to?”
If you’re caring for someone, Carers of East Lothian can also help you understand your options and complete benefit forms. Call 0131 665 0135 or visit Carers of East Lothian.
Perhaps your mum needs someone nearby to keep her safe because of dementia. Or your partner needs help washing, dressing or getting around after a stroke.
These are good reasons to ask about disability benefits.
For someone at State Pension age or older, the benefit to check in Scotland is Pension Age Disability Payment. You may know its previous name, Attendance Allowance.
It can help with care or supervision needs. Savings and income don’t rule you out, and you don’t need to have a paid carer.
For someone below State Pension age, check Adult Disability Payment. This can help with daily living, getting around, or both. You can qualify while working, and your income and savings aren’t taken into account.
For example:
“Dad can still dress himself, but he needs someone nearby because he gets confused and may put himself at risk.”
That need for supervision is worth explaining when asking about support. Help isn’t only about what someone can physically do.
If you already receive a disability benefit, get advice before applying for a different one. Someone receiving Adult Disability Payment normally stays on it when they reach State Pension age.
You don’t have to use the word “carer” about yourself to ask for support.
Helping with medicines, meals, washing, dressing or getting around can all be part of unpaid caring.
Carer Support Payment has replaced Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. The main conditions include providing at least 35 hours of care a week and looking after someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit. Earnings and other rules also apply.
If you’re thinking about reducing your hours or leaving work to care, speak to an adviser first if you can. They can help you understand what that would mean for your household income.
Ask them to check both people’s benefits together, because a carer’s claim can affect other payments.
It’s worth asking. There are several different ways a bill might be reduced.
If you live alone, ask about a single adult discount. If your household income is low, ask about Council Tax Reduction.
There are also rules for people with significant difficulties with memory, understanding and social functioning. The official term is “severe mental impairment”. It isn’t a phrase we would normally use at Harlawhill, but knowing it can help you ask the council about the right provision.
Some people living with dementia may qualify. A diagnosis alone doesn’t automatically give entitlement: medical certification and other conditions apply.
For example:
“There are two of us at home, but my wife has dementia. Is it still worth asking?”
Yes. Ask the council to check whether your circumstances qualify for a discount or exemption.
If your home has been adapted for disability, ask whether a disabled band reduction applies too.
Losing someone is hard enough. Having to work out how you’ll manage financially can make everything feel even more overwhelming.
Please ask for advice promptly. You don’t need to wait until you’ve sorted all the paperwork.
If you were below State Pension age when your partner died, check Bereavement Support Payment. Eligible people can receive a lump sum followed by monthly payments. You usually need to apply within three months to receive the full entitlement.
If you received Carer Support Payment, ask about payments continuing after the death. For deaths on or after 15 March 2026, support can normally continue for 12 weeks, provided the other eligibility conditions remain met.
If paying for the funeral is a worry, Funeral Support Payment may help if you qualify.
Whatever your age, ask for a fresh benefits check. Your household income and council tax position may have changed.
Tell the adviser that it’s urgent:
“I haven’t enough money for essentials and I need help now.”
A Scottish Welfare Fund Crisis Grant may help eligible people on a low income facing an emergency. You apply through your local council, and it doesn’t need to be repaid.
You don’t have to work out which payment to ask for. Start by telling someone what’s happening.
We want our families to know where to turn, before money worries become another thing they’re carrying on their own.
This guide focuses on Scotland, with local contacts for East Lothian. Information checked in October 2026. What you can receive depends on your circumstances, and rules differ elsewhere in the UK.