Young Carers Package
All young carers aged 11-18 can try out a special range of free opportunities available through the Young Carers Package. This a package of non-cash benefits is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting young carers. This commitment also includes the Young Carer Grant, for young people aged 16-18, with a significant caring role.
The package includes digital vouchers, access to subscriptions and exclusive opportunities.
All young carers aged 11-18 are entitled to access the package.
If you are aged 12 or over, to access the package you will need a Young Scot National Entitlement Card. All young people in Scotland, aged 12-26, are entitled to a card. Visit the Young Scot Card young carers information page to find out how to get your card.
If you are aged 11, you can still apply for the young carers package (even though you cannot apply for a Young Scot card). There is a special quick online application page here.
All young people aged 5 – 21 can access free bus travel scheme from January 2022 using the National Entitlement Card (NEC) or Young Scot branded NEC. Find out more at the Free Bus website
With your Young Scot NEC you also get access to other travel discounts if you are 16,17 or 18 years old. You can get 1/3 discount off of rail travel and young can also buy a season ticket (weekly, monthly) at a 50% discount by buying your ticket in person and showing your Young Scot card. If you are aged 16,17 or 18 and live on a Scottish island you will receive four ferry vouchers which gives you to two free return ferry journeys to the mainland each year.
Find out more about Young Scot savings on travel here.
Young Carer Grant
The Young Carer Grant was introduced on 21 October 2019. Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment worth £359.65 in 2023/24 for young carers who live in Scotland.
You can get Young Carer Grant if all of these apply:
- you live in Scotland
- you're 16, 17 or 18 years old
- you've been caring for one or more people for around 16 hours a week, for the last 3 months. Caring can include supporting either the physical or mental health and wellbeing of someone (or both).
- the person or people you care for are getting certain benefits
- you're not already getting Carer's Allowance
The person or people you care for must have been getting one or more of these benefits for at least the last 3 months:
- the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- the middle or highest care rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), including Child Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
Social Security Scotland have put together information and examples of what a young carer is to help you see if you or someone you know might qualify for the Young Carer Grant. You can find these by clicking here.
Applying for the Young Carer Grant
You can apply:
- online
- by phone on 0800 182 2222
- if you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND app to contact Social Security Scotland by video relay.
- by filling out a paper form
Find out all you need to know about the Young Carer Grant on mygov.scot
Other support for young carers
The support also includes a young carer element to the Young Scot National Entitlement Card and, in 2021/22, concessionary bus travel. You can find out more here.
Latest updates
Support for Carers UK's Carer's Allowance overpayments campaign
Carers UK overwhelmed by support from senior politicians encourages carers to share their experience of Carer’s Allowance overpayments as Government…
Carers UK responds to news reports of Carer's Allowance overpayments case
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “The overpayments case highlighted in the media over the weekend is indicative…
NI’s unpaid carers ‘left behind’ in new UK employment law, campaigners warn
Carers call for action from Stormont on carer's leave in Northern Ireland.
Millions of unpaid carers granted new employment rights as groundbreaking Carer’s Leave Act comes into force.
Got a question about caring?
Every day we hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member
Become a member for free
Joining Carers UK is free and takes just a few minutes.