This week marks Carers Week and Social Security Scotland is encouraging young people aged 16, 17 or 18, to check if they are eligible for the Young Carer Grant, an annual payment worth £359.65. The devolved benefit is for young people who spend an average of 16 hours each week caring for someone with a health condition who is in receipt of a disability benefit.
The payment increased from £326.65 to £359. 65 in April as part of the annual uprating. The Scottish Government increased all devolved benefit payments in-line with the 10.1 per cent uprating applied to State Pension and most benefits delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
The Scottish Government introduced the Young Carer Grant in October 2019 to help young people with caring responsibilities. The payment can be claimed by youngsters in school, in further education, employed or unemployed once a year as long as long as they remain eligible.
