The Young Carer Grant is for young people aged 16 to 18 who provide up to 16 hours of care each week. The number of young carers receiving a unique grant only available in Scotland has soared, according to new figures from the Scottish Government. Over 3,700 teenagers have received Young Carer Grant payments worth £1.
4 million in the last financial year, almost 60 per cent more than the year before. It is now urging even more young carers to apply and is asking family and friends to encourage them to check if they are eligible for the annual payment worth £383.75.
Young Carer Grant is available to anyone aged 16 - 18 who spends at least 16 hours a week on average caring for someone who gets a qualifying disability benefit. Young carers can offer vital support to family members, friends or relatives who have disabilities or long-term health conditions. This could include making meals, helping with housework, reminding them to take medication or providing emotional support.
Young Carer Grant was introduced by the Scottish Government in October 2019 to recognise the role unpaid young carers play and to help them access opportunities that are the norm for many other young people. Since launch, more than 12,000 payments totalling £4 million have been made. During the annual Carers Week in June, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We introduced the payment in recognition of the vital role young carers play, and to provide money they can use to take part in activities enjoyed by others their age that they might miss out on otherwise.
“I urge any young carer who is eligible for the grant but hasn’t applied in the past year to do so as soon as possible. I would also ask the family members and friends of teenagers eligible to encourage them to apply as they may not be aware of the grant or even consider themselves to be a carer.” The Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £383.
75 for young people in Scotland only. To be able to get the payment, you must be 16, 17 or 18 years old. If you are a young carer, you might be looking after: 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: If they need help with their mental health, or support with how they're feeling, you might: If they have an illness or disability, you might: The guidance on mygov.scot states 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 do each day here.
The person or people you care for must have been getting one or more of these benefits for at least the last three months: If a person you care for gets Constant Attendance Allowance, they need to be getting either: Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for energy and money-saving tips, the latest benefits news, consumer help and advice on coping with the cost of living crisis. Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday, including a special cost of living edition on a Thursday - sign up here . You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day.
NEW - Get our money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community . 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: Find out more about the grant here . Join our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community here to receive alerts on the latest money news from benefits to shopping deals..
