The Scottish Government has announced that the number of people successfully applying for the Young Carer Grant has risen in the last year. A total of 2,490 applications were approved in 2021-22, up 200 from the previous year.
This means from its introduction in October 2019 until the end of April 2022, more than £1.8 million has been paid out to 4,265 young people, with some getting the payment up to three times. The Young Carer Grant is unique to Scotland and is worth £326.65.
The payment is available for 16, 17 and 18 year-olds who spend an average of 16 hours per week caring for a person or people in receipt of a disability benefit. As long as someone remains eligible, they can apply on an annual basis.
Young carers can apply if they are at school, in further education, employed or unemployed.
Commenting on the latest figures, Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson, said: “The dedication shown by young carers in Scotland is remarkable and I am pleased that we can help to recognise their important contribution by offering extra financial support through the Scottish Government’s Young Carer Grant.
“At a time when many young people are leaving school and taking advantage of new opportunities, it is right that we recognise for many people aged between 16 and 18 those chances are impacted by their caring responsibilities and the time they devote to loved ones.”
He also said that the Scottish Government will continue to “proactively increase awareness and encourage take up of this benefit”.
Mr Macpherson added: “If anyone thinks they, or someone they know, might be eligible, I’d encourage them to find out more and apply.”
What is Young Carer Grant?
Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £326.65 for young people in Scotland only.
To be able to get the payment, you must be 16, 17 or 18 years old.
Who is eligible for the payment?
If you are a young carer, you might be looking after:
- Someone in your family
- A friend
- A neighbour
If you're caring for a parent or someone with children, you might also look after a brother, sister or young child.
You might be caring for someone if you:
- Help them with their mental health
- Give them emotional support
- Help them during an illness
- Support them with a disability
- Support them if they have an addiction
If they need help with their mental health, or support with how they're feeling, you might:
- Comfort them during a panic attack
- Stay close by so they do not feel alone
- Help them through a crisis
- Check on them throughout the day
- Make sure they're safe
- Keep them company
If they have an illness or disability, you might:
- Help them to get around
- Dress them
- Give them (or remind them to take) any medicines they need
- Help them to shower or use the toilet
- Cook their meals for them
- Do their food shopping
- Translate for them
The guidance on mygov.scot states that if you do any of these things for up to three people most days a week, or every day, then it's likely you are a young carer.
You can view examples of what a young carer might doe each day here.
The person you care for and their benefits
The person or people you care for must have been getting one or more of these benefits for at least the last three months:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - daily living component
- Adult Disability Payment - daily living component
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - middle or highest care rate
- Disability Living Allowance for Children - middle or highest care rate
- Child Disability Payment - middle or highest care rate
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
If a person you care for gets Constant Attendance Allowance, they need to be getting either:
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - at or above the normal maximum rate, or
- War Disablement Pension - at the basic rate
How to apply for Young Carer Payment
Eligible young carers can apply online at mygov.scot or by calling 0800 128 2222 - call centre opening times are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
Before applying, you should have:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your bank details
- Details of the person you care for, including their National Insurance number, if you know it
Find out more about the grant here.
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