HUNDREDS of carers in Cowdenbeath-Lochgelly area have benefitted from new Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS) payments of up to £442 introduced by the Scottish Government.

People of all ages are involved in looking after relatives.

New figures show that 6,250 payments have been made to carers in Fife, totalling £2,539,000, with over 200 in this area assisted.

The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an extra payment made to carers in Scotland twice a year, in recognition of the important contribution they make.

This year, due to the Scottish Government increasing the payment by inflation, carers will get two supplementary payments totalling £452.40 per year, which is an increase of over 13% on the Carers Allowance from the UK Government.

Dunfermline and West Fife SNP MSP, Shirley-Anne Somerville, who is also the Cabinet Secretary for Social Security, said: “Last year, the Carer’s Allowance Supplement helped 83,000 carers across Scotland, including 6,250 in Fife.

“Carers in Fife make an absolutely vital contribution to our society, and it’s only appropriate that they’re duly valued and properly supported"

She added: “The SNP is determined to use the powers available to the Scottish Government to improve the lives of people across Scotland.

“This supplementary payment allows the Scottish Government to get more money into the pockets of carers, as quickly as possible.

“I am delighted that carers in West and Central Fife and throughout the Kingdom are being recognised for the important contribution carers make, and the hard work they do in what can often be difficult circumstances.”