Young carers in Scotland aged 16, 17 or 18 can now apply for a new yearly payment of £300 if they are caring for someone, on a disability benefit, for an average of 16 hours most weeks.
Young Carer Grant is a new benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland and is now open for applications. Young people can apply if they are at school, in further education or training, employment or unemployed.
Social Security Scotland Chief Executive, David Wallace said: “I am delighted that we are delivering our seventh benefit in just over 12 months since the creation of our new public service.
“Young Carer Grant is a brand new benefit that offers a cash payment to eligible young carers in Scotland. It has been designed and tested with young carers and those who work closely with them.
“With more responsibilities and less free time, many young carers don’t get the same opportunities as their friends, and this new payment is for them to spend as they choose.
“Many young carers don’t identify as a carer– they just do what they do because it’s their family or someone they care for who needs regular support. As with all our benefits, we want to ensure that everyone who is entitled to a payment is encouraged to apply. We will work with partners to ensure we reach as many of these young carers as possible.”
Young carer Jade McCann said: “Being a young carer is really hard. It makes things as simple as going out with friends a challenge. It’s really hard sometimes to find time and money to do things someone my age would do with no problems.
“It also means that young people often can’t get a weekend job to fund themselves to participate in normal teenage activities. Any extra support for young carers like me would make a massive difference. It would mean they would be able to go out more often and make lifelong memories with friends.”
Visit mygov.scot/benefits/young-carer or call 0800 182 2222
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