Eligible Teens Urged Not to Miss Out
The number of young carers getting a grant only available in Scotland has rocketed, figures released ahead of Carers Week show.
Over 3,700 teens have received Young Carer Grant payments worth £1.4m in the last financial year, almost 60% more than the year before.
The Scottish Government is urging even more young carers to apply and is asking family and friends to encourage them to check if they’re eligible.
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.
The £380 payment can be applied for once a year and spent on whatever the young person wants.
Young Carer Grant was introduced by the Scottish Government in October 2019 to recognise the vital role unpaid young carers play and to help them access opportunities that are the norm for many other young people.
Since then over 12,000 payments totalling £4 million have been made.
I am delighted that so many young carers have been supported by this payment.
GRAEME
It is one only available in Scotland, as this Scottish Government has sought to recognise the tireless efforts and immense contribution young carers make.
In addition to wider, enhanced support available across the board for carers in Scotland, this payment addresses the particular challenges faced by younger people caring for a loved one, and supports them to live a full life despite these responsibilities.
I would urge anyone in Angus who thinks they might be eligible, or knows someone who could be, to get this checked and ensure these payments are getting to everyone for whom they are intended.
At the start of Carers Week, it’s heartening to see that more young carers than ever before are getting Young Carer Grant.
SOCIAL JUSTICE SECRETARY, SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE
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.
Background
Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £383.75 for young carers in Scotland. People can apply for Young Carer Grant online, via a paper application form or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
The latest Young Carer Grant statistics were published on 4 June.
Some young carers may also be eligible for Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions or the Social Security Scotland replacement, Carer Support Payment. To be eligible for Carer Support Payment carers must spend 35 or more hours a week looking after someone who gets certain disability benefits.
Carer Support Payment is available now in Dundee City, Perth and Kinross and the Western Isles. It will be available in North and South Lanarkshire and Angus from June 24 subject to parliamentary approval. Eligible people can get £81.90 a week.
Information on other support for carers is available at mygov.scot/help-if-youre-a-carer
