Young Carer Grant (Scotland)

To be eligible for Young Carer Grant you must:

• Be aged 16, 17, or 18 at the time of application
• Live in Scotland
• Spend at least 16 hours per week caring for one person, or a combined 16 hours per week caring for two or more people
• The person (or people) you care for must be receiving one of the following qualifying benefits:
  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — daily living component at either rate
  • Adult Disability Payment (ADP) — daily living component at either rate
  • Attendance Allowance — either rate
  • Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) — either rate
  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) — care component at middle or highest rate
  • Child Disability Payment (CDP) — care component at middle or highest rate
  • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • Constant Attendance Allowance (for industrial injuries or war pension)

You do not need to live with the person you care for — you can be caring for a parent, sibling, grandparent, or other person in a different household. There is no requirement to be in receipt of Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment — in fact, you are likely not entitled to those as a 16–18 year old still in education.

Young Carer Grant is an unrestricted payment — you can use it for anything that helps support your wellbeing and your caring role. Social Security Scotland suggests using it for things like:

• Social activities, hobbies, or sports to support your mental health
• Education costs (books, equipment, transport to college or training)
• Short breaks or respite from your caring responsibilities
• Clothing, travel, or other personal expenses

There is no requirement to account for how you spend the money. It is paid as a single lump sum directly into your bank account (or a suitable alternative if you do not have one).

Young Carer Grant is not taxable and does not count as income for Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits — it will not reduce any benefits you or your household receive.

You apply for Young Carer Grant through Social Security Scotland:

1. Online: Apply at socialsecurity.gov.scot/claim/young-carer-grant — this is the quickest method.
2. By phone: Call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 to apply by phone or request a paper application form.
3. By post: Request a paper form and return it to Social Security Scotland.

You will need to provide:

• Your own personal details (name, date of birth, address, National Insurance number if you have one)
• Details of the person (or people) you care for
• Information about the qualifying benefit they receive (you will need the reference number)
• A description of the care you provide and how many hours per week you spend caring
• Your bank account details for payment

You can apply once per year — the grant is an annual payment, not a continuous weekly benefit. You must re-apply each year if you remain eligible. You can apply up to 13 weeks before your next birthday to keep payments on track year to year.

In addition to Young Carer Grant, young carers in Scotland may be entitled to other forms of support:

• Young Carer Statement: Under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016, young carers aged 18 and under have the right to a Young Carer Statement — a document prepared with a local authority that identifies their caring role, their needs, and what support the local authority will provide to help them. Contact your local council's carers' support service.
• School and college support: Schools and colleges are required to consider the needs of young carers. Many have a designated young carers lead. Carers Trust Scotland and Young Scot can help you identify the support available in your educational setting.
• Breaks from caring: Your local carer centre or carers' support service can help you access respite breaks and emergency support if your caring responsibilities become overwhelming.
• Carers Support Payment at 18: When you turn 18, if you continue caring and the person you care for receives a qualifying disability benefit, you may become eligible for Carer Support Payment (Scotland's replacement for Carer's Allowance, £81.90 per week) — but only if you are not in full-time education.