To mark Young Carers Action Day on March 15, the Scottish Government is urging teenage carers across the country to check if they are eligible for a payment worth nearly £360 this year.
Young Carer Grant is a devolved benefit only available to young people aged between 16 and 18 living in Scotland who are caring for someone who receives a disability benefit for an average of 16 hours a week. The financial support is paid in one lump sum each year and can be spent on anything the young person chooses.
Subject to parliamentary approval, from April 1, the payment will increase from £326.65 to £359.65 in 2023 and can be claimed by youngsters in school, in further education, employed or unemployed. They can apply once a year as long as they remain eligible.
The Scottish Government introduced the Young Carer Grant in October 2019 to help young people with caring responsibilities.
Minister for Social Security, Ben Macpherson, said: “There are lots of young people with caring responsibilities who may not be aware that they are eligible for financial support as young carers. I would urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible to find out more about the Young Carer Grant and apply for the money they are entitled to.”
Zoe Hepburn, 19, has cared for her mum who has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) since she was seven. She has received three Young Carer Grants since the payments were introduced and said the money has made a significant difference to her life.
Zoe said: “I help out a lot around the house, cooking dinner, and helping Mum with whatever she needs at home.
“The money has really helped out and last year I was able to buy a car with the help of this money. I can now get about much more easily as well as take my mum out or pick up shopping.
“I know how challenging and overwhelming being a young carer can be. I’d encourage anyone who thinks they might be eligible for this money to apply. It was really easy.”
What is a Young Carer Grant?
The Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £326.65 (rising to £359.65 from April) 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 a 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.
Be aware that Social Security Scotland webchat and phonelines are not operational on March 15 due to industrial action. However, you can still apply online.
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.
To keep up to date with the latest benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, o r subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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