What financial support can I get as a young carer?

As a young carer, you may be able to get help with money and financial worries.

Some things are available across the UK. Others will be specific to your local area.

Financial help will often be for something specific, like: 

• Help you look after someone. 
• Help you do fun things for yourself. 
• Discounts on shops, subscriptions, and things in your area. 

Sometimes, you can use the money for anything you like. 

To get money support, you may need to: 

• Prove that you are a young carer. 
• Prove your age. 
• Fill out forms online or offline. 

Carers’ Allowance

Carers Allowance is a weekly payment of £76.75 that you can get as a young carer if you:  

• Are 16, 17 or 18 years old. 

• Spend 35 hours a week or more caring for someone with a disability.  
• Are not in full-time education. 
• Don’t earn more than £139 a week. 

You can learn more about applying for Carers’ Allowance in England, Scotland or Wales on gov.uk website or on nidirect.gov.uk website for Northern Ireland. 

Young carer grant – Scotland only

The young carer grant is a one-off payment of £326.65 from the Scottish government. You can use it for whatever you want. You need to:

• Be 16, 17 or 18 years old.  
• Have cared for someone for more than 16 hours a week for the last 3 months (at least). 

Before you apply, you’ll need the National Insurance number, bank account and details of the person you care for. 

You can learn more about applying for the young carer grant on mygov.scot website. 

Depending on where you live, there may be money help for young carers. 

Your local young carer service may have small grants for activities, school materials, items for the house, etc. 

Turn 2 Us allows you to search for grants based on where you live and your age: https://www.turn2us.org.uk/ 

All of the UK

If you are 16 years old, you can usually benefit from the same discount as adult carers. You can find more info at these links: 

• https://discountsforcarers.com/  
• https://www.carersfirst.org.uk/help-and-advice/topics/discounts-for-carers/  
• https://carers.org/grants-and-discounts/carersmart-discount-club  

If you have a young carer card, ask your local service what discounts you can get. 

Scotland only

You can apply for a young carer’s package if you are between 11 and 18 years old.  

It gives you access to discounts, vouchers, and exclusive opportunities. You can also get cheaper travel on trains and ferries, and free bus travel. 

To get the package, you’ll first need to apply to the Young Scot card through your local authority.

We can’t give advice on benefits or financial advice specific to your situation.  

We can help with: 

• Researching financial support in your area. 
• Filling in forms, if you need it. 

• Point you to the right people to talk to. 

If you’re not sure what you need help with, just get in touch. Text us on 07888 868 059 or email sidekick@actionforchildren.org.uk.