Access to Benefits, Grants & Funding

YAC Respite Grant

As we are unable to run our YAC day trips and groups we are able to offer an alternative respite award to our Young Adult Carers. This award is granted to YACs to help them take a break from their caring role, this doesn’t have to mean going away: applications for things that can help you get a break at home are welcome. This can include online subscriptions, gardening materials/furniture, sports equipment, art supplies and much, much more. If you would like to apply for this grant, please complete the form by clicking here and send it to yacadmin@pkavs.org.uk

Young Carers Grant

Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment of £326.65 for carers in Scotland age 16, 17 or 18 years old. How you spend the Young Carer Grant is up to you. You could use it for things like new clothes, driving lessons or a holiday. You do not need to tell ScotGov what you spend the money on.

To be eligible to apply you must meet the following criteria:

• You live in Scotland
• You are 16, 17 or 18 years of age when applying (If you could not apply before your 19th birthday due to the disruption caused by coronavirus (COVID-19), you can still apply. Your application will be viewed as being made on time).
• Caring for an average of 16 hours per week, over a 13-week period
• Care for someone normally paid a qualifying disability benefit
• You have not applied for or receive Carer’s Allowance
• You are not paid or volunteer to care
• Find out more on the Government website

You can complete the application form online yourself by clicking here. If you would like help completing the form please contact The Young Adult Carers service on 01738 567076(option 2) or yacadmin@pkavs.org.uk.

Carers Allowance

If you care for someone for 35 hours or more a week you may be able to get Carer’s Allowance. You should apply for this once you’ve been paid Young Carer Grant. You will not be able to get Young Carer Grant if you’re already getting Carer’s Allowance. If you live in Scotland, England or Wales, you can find out more about Carer’s Allowance by clicking here.

You could get £67.25 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. You do not have to be related to, or live with, the person you care for. You do not get paid extra if you care for more than one person. If someone else also cares for the same person as you, only one of you can claim Carer’s Allowance.

Young Scot Carers Package

If you’re a carer aged 11 to 18 , you can sign up for the Young Carers Package with Young Scot. The aim of this package is to support young carers to make the most of their leisure time, learn and feel more confident. The package online vouchers and subscriptions. Currently, this includes Headspace Mindfulness App subscriptions, Hey Girls Sanitary Products E-Vouchers, mobile phone top-ups, Netflix E-Vouchers, Amazon E-Vouchers, Love2Shop E-Vouchers and Book Tokens. New treats are added the package regularly.

If you don’t have your Young Scot National Entitlement Card you can still sign up for Young Scot Membership and get access to the Young Scot Young Carers Package. To find out more information about the package and how to sign up click here.