Majority of young carers missing out on allowance

A campaign has been launched to ensure Scotland’s young carers get the help they are entitled to in a bid to save them from the added worry of money pressures.

The Scottish Government is using social media to contact carers aged 16 to 24 who are not claiming Carer’s Allowance.

Social security minister Jeanne Freeman said: “The UK benefit system continues to fail in making sure that all those entitled to support know that they are and know how to get it”.

She added: “Young adult carers in particular are in that group and should not have the added worry of financial pressures along with their caring responsibilities.”

An estimated 49,000 Scots aged between 16 and 24 are carers, but only around 3,900 receive Carer’s Allowance.