Young people are being asked for their views on plans to deliver a new grant worth £300 a year to young carers in a new online survey.

The Young Carer Grant will be available on a non-discretionary basis to carers aged 16 – 17 years, not in receipt of Carers Allowance, who spend 16 hours or more a week caring for people entitled to qualifying disability benefits. Carers aged 18 years old who are at still at school will also be eligible.

Scottish Government estimate that 1,700 young carers will be eligible for the grant each year.

As part of the young carer package of support, Scottish Government are also introducing a young carers element to the Young Scot National Entitlement Card, which will be rolled out from April 2019, offering tailored entitlements and rewards such as leisure activities for young carers aged 11 – 18 years old.

Scottish Government also established the Young Carer Panel to ensure young people with lived experience can help to shape the new Young Carer Grant with, and for the young people of Scotland. The Young Carer Panel recruitment drive was launched on Young Carers Awareness Day 2018, on Thursday 25^th January.

The deadline for responses to the Young Carer Grant survey is Monday 10^th December.

For further information, including how to submit your response, please visit the Scottish Government website.