Young Carers Grant is a yearly payment of £359.65 for young carers aged 16 to 18 who live in Scotland. It's a cash benefit to spend as you choose and you can apply if you are at school, in further education, employed or unemployed.

Who can get Young Carers Grant?

You may be eligible if you satisfy the following:

  • You live in Scotland
  • You are aged 16 to 18
  • You have been providing care for an average of 16 hours a week, for the last 3 months. The support may be physical, mental or emotional.
  • The person being cared for is in receipt of one of the following benefits:
    • Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – daily living component
    • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) – middle or highest rate care
    • Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children
    • Attendance Allowance
    • Constant Attendance Allowance at or above the maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits
    • Constant Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension
    • Armed Forces Independence Payment
  • You are not caring for any of the people in the application as a volunteer
  • You are not being paid to provide care for any of the people in the application
  • You have not already applied for, or received Carer's Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions, or Northern Ireland's Carer's Allowance

Sharing the care with someone else

If more than one carer applies for the same cared for person, only the first eligible application will get the grant. If you provide shared care with someone else aged 16 to 18, you should both agree who should apply for the grant.

Does the care have to be for the same person?

No, the 16 hours of care can be divided up to 3 people that you are caring for, as long as the people you are caring for are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits.

Will this affect any other benefits for me or the person I care for?

No, Young Carer Grant will be disregarded for UK benefits and tax credit assessments – meaning it won't affect any benefits you, or the person / people you care for, are on.

How to claim

You can also download and print a paper copy from the website.

If English is not your first language, you can apply over the phone or ask for a paper form to be sent to you, in any of over 100 languages (0800 182 2222).