Tag: Young Carer Grant

Young people urged to apply for Young Carer Grant

Young carers are being urged to do something for themselves during this season of giving and get the financial support they are entitled to. Social Security Scotland is encouraging eligible people to apply for the £359.65 Young Carer Grant this December.

Young carers may look after family members, friends or relatives. Their caring role could involve supporting someone with a disability, illness or addiction; helping them with their mental health; helping or reminding them to take their medication; doing their shopping, cleaning or cooking; or translating for them, for example.

The latest figures for Young Carer Grant show that over 10,000 payments had been issued up to the end of September this year, totalling over £3.2 million, since the grant launched in Scotland in 2019.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “December is a busy and expensive time for everyone, with young carers balancing their studies and/or work alongside their vital caring roles.

“We’re urging young carers to do something for themselves this festive season and check if they could be eligible for Young Carer Grant. As the cost of living crisis continues and people feel additional financial pressures in January, this money is designed to provide some recognition for the important role of unpaid young carers and allow them to take part in the same activities as their peers.

“Young carers aged 16, 17 and 18 can get this payment of over £350 each year as long as they remain eligible. They need to apply for the Young Carer Grant each year to get the payment.”

Max, who is a young carer for her mum, dad and brother, said:

“I spent the Young Carer Grant on driving lessons so I was able to drive my dad about as part of my caring role. I also bought loads of clothes and shoes just so I could have time to go out, dress up and have a bit of time for myself. It really made a difference that I had money for myself.”

Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £359.65 for young carers in Scotland.

To be able to get Young Carer Grant, you must be 16, 17 or 18 years old.

People can apply for Young Carer Grant online, via a paper application form or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

To find out more information people can visit mygov.scot/young-carer-grant

Information on other support for carers is available at mygov.scot/help-if-youre-a-carer

£2.3 million paid to young carers in Scotland

Over 7,000 Young Carer Grant payments totalling £2.3 million have been made to young carers across Scotland, according to latest figures published yesterday

Launched in October 2019 by Social Security Scotland, Young Carer Grant was the first benefit of its kind in the UK. The payment can be applied for once a year by young carers aged 16, 17, and 18 who care for someone who is normally paid a qualifying disability benefit.

The payment is a flat rate of £326.65 and acknowledges the young person’s carer role helping them take part in opportunities that are the norm for many other young people.

Carers can decide how to spend the money, for example, on new clothes, a music or TV streaming service or anything else that helps them take a break from their day to day caring responsibilities. With Christmas approaching, young carers are encouraged to check if they are eligible for financial support.

Applications were received from young people living in all local authorities. The highest number of applications were from Glasgow City, which accounts for 15% of all applications received to the end of October 2022. The next highest areas were from North Lanarkshire and Fife.

Young carers who previously received the grant and still meet the eligibility criteria can re-apply 12 months from the date of their previous successful application.

People aged 16 to 18 who care for someone 16 hours a week can apply for Young Carer Grant once a year – a little something for those who give a lot.

To check eligibility and apply visit mygov.scot or call free on 0800 182 2222.

Scottish Government pays out £1.8 million in Young Carer Grants

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 30 April this year, more than £1.8 million had been paid out to 4,265 young people, with some getting the payment up to three times.

The Young Carer Grant, which is unique to Scotland, was increased from £308.15 to £326.65 from 1 April.

The payment is available for 16-18 year-olds who spend an average of 16 hours 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.

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.

“I am encouraged by the increase in successful applications for our Young Carer Grant, which is only available in Scotland, and we will continue to pro-actively increase awareness and encourage take up of this benefit.

“If anyone thinks they, or someone they know, might be eligible, I’d encourage them to find out more and apply.”

Full details on the statistics are available to view at the socialsecurity.gov.scot website. 

Carers Week 2022: Rising pressures on unpaid carers as public backing for greater support grows

  • 4.68 million unpaid carers concerned for physical and mental health
  • 2.2 million carers worried about ability to cope financially
  • More care is being provided than ever before – even more than during the height of the pandemic
  • Overwhelming public support for more Government action to help unpaid carers

Carers Week charities are calling for an urgent 12-month plan of targeted support for unpaid carers, as many struggle with the ongoing impact, as well as the legacy, of the pandemic, together with the strain of the social care and cost of living crises.

For the first time, the impact of caring on their own physical and mental health has topped carer’s concerns, closely followed by money worries.   

The research, released for Carers Week 2022 (6-12 June), reveals that 84% of the general public think that the UK governments should provide additional support to unpaid carers including increased financial support and investment in care and support services so that unpaid carers can have a break. Only 3% disagreed. 

The report also shows that the number of unpaid carers remains higher than before the pandemic with one in five of the UK’s adults (approximately 10.58 million people) now supporting a relative, close friend or neighbour because of chronic illness, including mental ill-health, dementia, disability, or older age.  

The intensity of care they are providing has grown since earlier in the pandemic, with several factors possibly having an impact: Many services remain reduced or closed, vulnerable people continue to shield, pressures on primary health care and the chronic shortage of social care. The numbers of people providing over 50 hours per week has risen by 30%.  

At the same time, carers with lower household incomes were much more likely to be providing significant amounts of care (i.e, over 20 hours per week). Providing more care also reduces the chance to cope financially as carers are less likely to be able to juggle work and care.  

The seven charities supporting Carers Week 2022; Carers UK, Age UK, Carers Trust, MND Association, Rethink Mental Illness, Oxfam GB and The Lewy Body Society are calling for a recovery and respite plan dedicated to the needs of carers including: specific investment in their mental health support, carers leave a priority, help with food and energy costs and ahead of the winter, prioritisation in the vaccination programme.   

Commenting on behalf of Carers Week charities, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Clearly, whilst society has opened up for many people, it’s a very different picture for significant numbers of carers.

“So many have sacrificed their physical and mental health caring for their loved ones over the last two years and as this report clearly shows, it is absolutely essential that carers get the support they need to stay well to be able to continue to care for their loved ones, that working carers are helped to stay in employment and that all carers can feel visible, valued and supported.”

Marking #CarersWeek, Social Security Minister @BenMacpherson recognises the dedication of carers.

@scotgov has introduced 2 new and unique benefits, Young Carer Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement – additional support of over £42 million to more than 90,000 carers this year.

Social Security Scotland: You may be entitled to Young Carer Grant

Are you aged 16 to 18 and caring for someone 16 hours a week on average? The Young Carer Grant is now £326.65!

This is available on an annual basis so if you got the payment a year ago, and still care for someone, don’t forget to apply again.

Find out more: https://bit.ly/youngcarergrant

£1.4 million in Young Carer Grants paid out since launch of benefit

More than 4500 payments have been made to young carers across Scotland since the benefit launched in October 2019.

Figures released today reveal a total of £1.4 million in Young Carer Grant payments have been made up to 31 October 2021.

Applications were received from young people living in all local authorities. The highest number of applications were from Glasgow City, which accounts for 15% of all applications received to the end of October 2021. The next highest areas were from North Lanarkshire, Fife and South Lanarkshire.

The first benefit of its kind in the UK, Young Carer Grant is a payment that can be applied for once a year by young carers aged 16, 17, and 18 who care for someone who is normally paid a qualifying disability benefit.

The payment is a flat rate of £308.15 and acknowledges the young person’s carer role helping them take part in opportunities that are the norm for many other young people.

Carers can decide how to spend the money, for example, on new clothes, a music or TV streaming service or anything else that helps them take a break from their day to day caring responsibilities.

Young carers who previously received the grant and still meet the eligibility criteria can re-apply 12 months from the date of their previous successful application.

To check eligibility and apply visit mygov.scot or call free on 0800 182 2222.

Social Security Scotland: 2900 young carers receive cash support

Figures published this week reveal that 2,945 young carers in Scotland have received one or more annual payments of Young Carer Grant since its launch on 21 October 2019 until 30 April 2021.

The Young Carer Grant quarterly statistics show that 3,615 payments were issued up to 30 April 2021 and that the total value of Young Carer Grant payments issued to clients by 30 April 2021 was £1.1 million.

The payment is £308.15 each year for young people who provide care for an average of 16 hours a week.

Applications were received from young people living in all local authorities throughout Scotland. The highest number of applications were 780 from Glasgow – accounting for 14% of all applications received to the end of April 2021. The next highest was 435 from North Lanarkshire, 350 from Fife and 310 from South Lanarkshire.

To view the full report click here.

Nearly 3000 Young Carer Grants issued since launch

Figures released on Young Carers Action Day reveal that The Scottish Government has paid out more than £860,000 to eligible young carers since The Young Carer Grant opened in October 2019.

Over 2,900 applications have been authorised to support young people aged 16, 17 and 18 who spend an average of 16 hours a week caring for someone who receives a disability benefit.

The Young Carer Grant is an annual payment of £305.10 made to young carers to spend on anything they like, for example, a subscription to a video or music streaming service, new clothes or something else that helps them take a break from their caring responsibilities.

Young carers who have previously received the Grant and still meet the eligibility criteria can re-apply 12 months from the date of their previous successful application.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Young carers play a vital role across our society. It is fantastic that so many have received this financial support since the benefit was introduced.

“People may not realise what they do at home is caring – you could see it as just part of your day to day life. It is true all year round but it is worth emphasising again on Young Carers Action Day that people should check if they are entitled to The Young Carer Grant.

”I encourage young people who help someone that receives disability support to check if they could get this additional financial support.”

  • Young carers can combine the hours they spend caring for up to three eligible people in order to reach the 16 hours a week requirement
  • To find out more and apply people should visit mygov.scot/benefits or call 0800 182 2222
  • The statistics cover the period of 21 October 2019 – 31 January 2021
  • December 2020 and January 2021 had the highest number of successful applications since the payment began, with 335 and 325 authorised respectively.
  • The person or people the young person is caring for must have received one or more of the following benefits for at least the last three months:
    • the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
    • the middle or highest care rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) including Child Disability Living Allowance
    • Attendance Allowance
    • Armed Forces Independence Payment
    • Constant Attendance Allowance – either: Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (at or above the normal maximum rate), or War Disablement Pension (at the basic rate)

Granton Information Centre can help you get the benefits you are entitled to. GIC has been supporting clients throughout the pandemic and is here for you.

For free, professional advice call 0131 552 0458 or 0131 551 2459, or you can email info@gic.org.uk – an adviser will respond to your message.