Teen carers urged to apply for Scottish benefit

Young people may be missing out on help because they don’t realise they’re carers  

On Young Carers Action Day (13 March) teenagers who look after others are being urged find out if they’re eligible for a grant available only in Scotland. 

Since being introduced in 2019 by the Scottish Government, Young Carer Grant has delivered over £3 million to over 6,600 teenage carers.    

However a leading carers charity says many young people who look after others do not recognise themselves as carers, as they see the support they give as just part of family life. As a result, they do not know they’re entitled to benefits. 

Scottish Government figures suggest around 25% of those eligible for Young Carer Grant in 2022-23 did not apply.  

The Carers Trust has joined Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville to urge teenagers who look after others to recognise their vital caring role and to apply for the support available to them. 

Young Carers Grant, paid by Social Security Scotland, is available to those aged 16-18 who spend 16 or more hours a week looking after someone who gets a disability benefit. 

The grant was introduced in October 2019 by the Scottish Government to help young people with caring responsibilities and is part of a wider package of support for young carers funded by the Scottish Government. 

Paul Traynor, Head of External Affairs (Scotland) at Carers Trust, said: 

“There are lots of young people caring for a relative, friend or member of their community who don’t realise they’re young carers and could be eligible for financial support.

"They might help someone get dressed in the morning, help with shopping or provide emotional support, for example. The person they look after could have a disability, illness or addiction.  

“Young carers often view this as ‘just helping out’ or ‘part of family life’. It could even be expected as part of their culture. It is vital that all young carers know about their rights, what support they are entitled to, are able to have a life alongside caring and are helped to reach their full potential in all aspects of their lives.” 

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: 

“I’m pleased that the grant we introduced has been able to deliver over £3 million to young carers in Scotland who are balancing their vital caring role with study or work.  

“However, we know many young people who look after others see the amazing work they do as part of life and do not recognise themselves as carers and so do not realise they can get financial support. 

“I urge any young person aged 16, 17 or 18 who looks after someone else to check if they’re eligible for Young Carer Grant and to apply if they are. It’s money they’re entitled to. 

“The payment is designed to recognise the important role of unpaid young carers and allow them to take part in the same activities as their peers, whether that’s driving lessons, going on a weekend away or buying new clothes. The money can be spent on whatever the young person wants.” 

Zainab, who is a young carer said:  

“I spent my grant on a piano keyboard. I’ve loved to do piano for a very long time but I didn’t have enough funds to buy one as they’re very expensive. So I used my Young Carer Grant to buy one and I love it!” 

Young carers may also be eligible for Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland or Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions. Carer’s Allowance Supplement is also available as an extra payment for people in Scotland who get Carer Support Payment or Carer's Allowance on a particular date each year. These dates are available on mygov.scot/carers-allowance-supplement.  

Notes to editors

• Young people who provide help with cooking, shopping and other day to day tasks to someone who is in receipt of a disability benefit are encouraged to check if they are eligible and apply.
• They must be aged 16, 17 or 18 years old to receive Young Carer Grant.
• 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.
• Young carers do not need to tell us what they spend the Young Carer Grant on.
• When completing their first application, young carers could ask if they would like a reminder to reapply a year later.
• Eligible Young Carers can apply online at mygov.scot/benefits or by calling 0800 128 2222.
• The Scottish Government is committed to improving support for unpaid carers who provide vital support, introducing Carer’s Allowance Supplement following the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018.
• It provides a 13% increase on the Department of Work and Pensions Carer’s Allowance and over £210 million has been invested in the Supplement since 2018, providing extra support for more than 133,000 carers.
• The current rate of payment for Young Carer Grant is £359.65. Subject to parliamentary approval, the payment will be increased to £383.75 from 1 April. 
• In 2024-25, the Scottish Government are committing a record £6.3bn for benefits expenditure, providing support to over 1.2 million people in Scotland, including young carers. This is £1.1bn more than the UK Government gives to the Scottish Government for social security, demonstrating our commitment to tackling poverty.