Social Security Experience Panels: Young Carer Grant survey

Proving that you are a young carer

Respondents were told that Social Security Scotland wants to make it easy for people to prove that they are a young carer. It was explained that the person they care for (or a parent if you care for someone who is under 16) would need to confirm this in the application form. Respondents were asked how they would feel about that; 60 respondents answered this question.

More than three quarters (77 per cent) of respondents said that they would feel “ok” about that. More than one in seven (15 per cent) said they had no opinion or were not sure how they would feel and one in twelve (8 per cent) said they would not feel ok about this.

Among those who said that they would feel ok about the person they care for confirming their application, reasons given included that the person they care for is aware that they are a young carer, that they felt that the person they care for would understand why they were applying and wouldn’t have a problem confirming this or would even be happy doing so.

“I feel that the person I care for would understand why the grant exists so wouldn't have a problem confirming my caring role if it benefits me.”

“Because it is something they would want for me.”

Others said that it would be easy and “reasonable”, and would help make sure that the grant goes to the right people.

“I feel that this is okay as the grant will definitely go to young carers who need the grant. Not someone who is trying to fake being a young carer just to receive the money.”

“I feel like if you need proof then it is reasonable to ask us for proof.”

Other positive reasons included feeling that the person they care for could help them with the application and deciding how to use it.

“Because they can help me and show me how to make the right choices.”

Among those who said that they would not feel ok about the person they care for confirming their application, reasons given included the person they care for being unable to confirm this due to their disability or health condition, or a relationship where the person they care for or wider family might be unwilling to confirm this.

“The person I care for would be unable to confirm this due to profound disabilities. The majority of young carers are on the radar of connecting young carers so perhaps there is a way that can confirm this.”

Other concerns raised in relation to this approach included how to protect against a young carer being pressured to take on more caring responsibility to meet the criteria for the grant, or being pressured to give the grant to the family.

Some suggested that instead mechanisms such as young carer groups could be used to confirm a young carer’s role without involving the person that they care for in the application.