Applying outside of Scotland

Eligibility

You might be able to get Carer's Allowance Supplement if you have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland but live outside the United Kingdom in the European Economic Area, Switzerland or Gibraltar. 

For Social Security Scotland to determine whether you're eligible for Carer's Allowance Supplement while living outside of the UK, they'll need to go over some residency details to make a decision on your application. 
You can find out more about these residency details and other requirements if you’re currently living in the European Economic Area, Switzerland or Gibraltar. 

Apply by post

You can apply by filling in a paper form.

If you're posting from outside the UK you need to make sure you use the correct amount of postage. Check this with your country’s postal service.

Apply over the phone

If you’re outside of the UK you can call Social Security Scotland on +44 (0)1382 931 000. You'll be charged to call from abroad. Check with your phone provider to find out about any charges.
Let the person on the phone know which benefit you want to apply for. Let them know that you're calling from abroad and ask them to call you back. 
You'll be asked for some details and someone from Social Security Scotland will arrange to call you back to complete the application.

The call centre opening times are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (UK time).

If you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the Contact Scotland service to contact Social Security Scotland by video relay.

Sending copies of certificates or documents

You'll need to send Social Security Scotland some copies of documents to confirm who you are and where you live. After you've applied, Social Security Scotland will send you a letter to let you know what you need to send. You can send these documents now rather than waiting for this letter, if you'd prefer.

Confirming who you are

The document you send must not be expired. Send a copy of one of these:

• UK, European Economic Area or Non-European Economic Area signed passport
• European Economic Area national identity card
• UK, European Economic Area or Non-European Economic Area photo card full driving licence
• UK or European Economic Area photo card provisional driving licence
• identity photo card with 'PASS' logo
• application registration card - age not disputed
• UK armed forces identity card

Confirming where you live

Send a copy of one of these:

• a bank or building society statement dated within the last 6 months
• a letter from a social worker
• a doctor's registration letter
• an electoral voting card
• a benefit award letter dated within the last 6 months
• further or higher education financial support award letter from the current academic year
• a letter from your local authority, dated within the last 6 months (such as a housing benefit letter)
• a letter from a professional body, dated within the last 6 months and on headed paper (such as a doctor, dentist, optician, school, college, or charity)

If you're not able to get any of these documents, call Social Security Scotland on +44 (0)1382 931 000.

You'll be charged to call from abroad. Check with your phone provider to find out about any charges. Social Security Scotland's call centre opening times are 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (UK time).

How to send your documents

If you're posting from outside the UK you need to make sure you use the correct amount of postage. Check this with your country’s postal service. 
Try to send photocopies rather than originals. Within the UK, it can take Social Security Scotland up to 2 weeks to return any original documents you send. This period of time is likely to be longer if you live outside the UK.
You might be able to make photocopies of your documents at your local library, post office or copy shop. 
You might want to use a tracked post service, especially if you're sending any important original documents.

You'll need to pay for the cost of posting your application to Social Security Scotland.

It can take up to two weeks to return any original documents you send. You can make photocopies at your local library.

You need to write the following information on your photocopied documents:

• your full name
• your date of birth
• your National Insurance number, if you know it
• the name of the Social Security Scotland assistance that you get, so they know what you’re applying for

Send any photocopies of documents to:

Social Security Scotland
PO Box 10302
Dundee
DD1 9GN

You and your data

If you want to know more about how Social Security Scotland uses your data, you can read the privacy notice about the Carer's Allowance Supplement.