Being an unpaid carer can come with additional day-to-day costs, from travel and shopping to leisure and household expenses. While there isn’t currently a single national carers discount card provided by the Scottish Government, there are several schemes available to carers in Scotland that can provide discounts, offers and other benefits. From paid carer cards that provide proof of caring status to free schemes such as CarerSmart and support available through Young Scot for young carers, there are a number of options worth exploring. Here’s a look at some of the cards and discount schemes available and how they could help carers make their money go further.
1. National Carers Card
A UK-wide paid card that provides proof of carer status and access to a range of discounts and offers.
- Apply for the National Carers Card: National Carers Card – Apply
- See the current discounts: National Carers Card – All Discounts
The card currently costs £20 for two years, plus postage. It offers discounts covering areas such as shopping, food, travel, leisure and days out.
2. Carers Card UK
Another UK-wide paid carer identification card. It includes access to a discounts platform and app.
- Carers Card UK: Carers Card UK – Apply
- Carers Card UK FAQs: Carers Card UK – FAQs
The card currently costs £8 for two years and includes access to its discounts through the website/app. It accepts Scottish evidence such as a Carers Support Payment award or an Adult Disability Payment award among its accepted documents.
3. Young Scot / Young Carers Package
For young carers aged 11–18 in Scotland, there is a different arrangement. The Young Carers Package provides free opportunities, digital vouchers and subscriptions. Young carers aged 12+ need a Young Scot National Entitlement Card to access it.
- Carers Scotland – Young Carers Package: Young Carers Package – Carers Scotland
- Young Scot: Young Scot
4. CarerSmart: Free Discounts for Unpaid Carers
Another option for unpaid carers is CarerSmart, a free discount club run by Carers Trust.
Unlike some carer cards, CarerSmart doesn’t require you to buy a physical card. Once registered, unpaid carers can access a range of discounts and offers, including cashback on high-street shopping, savings on insurance, holidays and travel, lifestyle activities, and legal advice.
The service is free to join, so it can be a useful option for carers looking to reduce some of the everyday costs associated with caring.
Find out more and register for CarerSmart:
CarerSmart – Carers Trust
