More support for young carers in Scotland

Tue,19 September 2017
News Benefits

A new Young Carer Grant, worth £300 a year, will be part of a new package of support for young carers, announced First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Read Scottish Government press release

The grant will be awarded, from autumn 2019, to young carers aged 16 to 18 who do at least 16 hours of caring a week and who are still at school.

This is part of a full package of support for Scottish carers, including:

  • increased Carer’s Allowance in line with Jobseeker’s Allowance from summer 2018, backdated to April 2018.
  • the right for young carers to a get statement from a local authority, setting out their circumstances and support needs, from 1 April 2018.
  • a Young Scot National Entitlement Card giving non-cash benefits to young carers aged 11-18, which will be rolled out from April 2019.
  • free bus travel for those on Young Carer Grant starting 2020-2021.
  • planned increases for families supporting more than one disabled child.