Young Carers Grant Has Had Low Uptake - Do You Know A Young Carer - Let Them Know

22nd December 2020

Its over a year since Social Security Scotland launched their Young Carers Grant (YCG), uptake of this grant in Highland has been low. YCG is an annual payment of £305.10 for young carers aged 16 to 18 who live in Scotland. It's a cash benefit to spend as they choose and they can apply if they are at school, in further education, employed or unemployed.

Young carers may be eligible for Young Carer Grant if they meet all of the criteria below:

they live in Scotland

they are aged 16 to 18

they have been providing care for an average of 16 hours a week, for the last three months. The support they provide may be physical, mental or emotional.

the person or people being cared for are getting a qualifying benefit

*they are not caring for any of the people in the application as a volunteer

they are not being paid to provide care for any of the people in the application

they have not applied for, or received Carer's Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions, or Northern Ireland's Carer’s Allowance.

*

Full details of the Young Carers Grant can be found in the attached factsheet. see below.

The council’s Welfare Support Team provide free, impartial and confidential support to claim all entitlements including the Young Carers Grant. Call free on 0800 090 1004 or email welfare.support@highland.gov.uk

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Fact Sheet

What is Young Carer Grant?

It’s a new yearly payment of £305.10 for young carers aged 16 to 18 who live in Scotland.

It’s a cash benefit to spend as they choose and they can apply if they are at school, in

further education, employed or unemployed.

Who can get it?

Young carers may be eligible for Young Carer Grant if they meet all of the criteria below:

• they live in Scotland

• they are aged 16 to 18

• they have been providing care for an average of 16 hours a week, for the last

three months. The support they provide may be physical, mental or emotional.

• the person or people being cared for are getting a qualifying benefit

*• they are not caring for any of the people in the application as a volunteer

• they are not being paid to provide care for any of the people in the application

• they have not applied for, or received Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work

and Pensions, or Northern Ireland’s Carer’s Allowance.

**Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - daily living component, Disability Living

Allowance (DLA) - the middle or highest care rate, Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

- for children, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance at or above

the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Constant

Attendance Allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a War Disablement Pension,

Armed Forces Independence Payment.

How much is the payment and what can it be used for?

It’s a payment of £305.10. It’s up to them what they choose to spend the money on.

If more than one person is caring for someone, can they all apply?

If more than one carer applies for the same cared for person, only the first eligible

application will get the grant. If the young carer provides shared care with someone else

aged 16 to 18, they should agree who should apply for the grant.

However, as well as the grant, young carers are also eligible for extra non-cash benefits on

their Young Scot card. They will get extra discounts at certain stores and venues and other

exclusive benefits, including cinema tickets and one-off special events. You don’t have to

be receiving the Young Carer Grant to access these benefits.

Young Carer Grant

@SocSecScot Social Security Scotland 0800 182 2222

This information can be provided in alternative languages

or formats by calling 0800 182 2222.

How much care do they have to provide to be eligible?

They must have been caring for one or more people on average for at least 16 hours a

week for the last three months. Up to three weeks break in care will be allowed during

the 13 week qualifying period. As long as they still carry out 208 hours in total over the 13

week period.

How long after applying will people have to wait to get their payment?

A decision will be made once the young carers fully completed application form, including

all supportive evidence has been received. The young carer will be notified of the decision

and their payment will follow shortly afterwards.

What ID and evidence will be required?

Before applying, the young carer should know the details of the financial account they

wish the money to be paid into. If they know their National Insurance number and their

cared for person’s then this will allow their application to be processed quicker.

After they have made their application they will receive a follow up letter informing them of

what forms of ID they need to send to us for verification.

Does the young carer need to pay this money back?

No, it’s not a loan and doesn’t have to be repaid by the young carer.

Who is paid the money?

The money will be paid directly to the young carer’s chosen financial account.

When can young carers apply?

They can apply yearly from age 16 to 18 and will have to reapply each year if they are still

eligible.

Does it affect other benefits?

No, Young Carer Grant will be disregarded for UK benefit and tax credit assessments.

How do you apply?

Call freephone on 0800 182 2222 to complete the application over the phone or to request

a paper application form. Or go to mygov.scot/young-carer-grant.

COMMS/YCG factsheet/V1.0/April 2020