If a client submits a late application for Young Carer Grant due to coronavirus (COVID-19), or the impacts of the UK lockdown, it should still be processed as if it were on time. This affects applications made from 7 April 2020. The earliest date these can be backdated to is 31 January 2020. The client must have met all of the eligibility criteria on this date.
Applications are considered late if the client applies on or after their 19th birthday, or if there is a delay between the dates which the applicant provides care over a 13-week period and the date on which they submit their application.
You will recognise one of these applications if:
In some cases, there's a possibility two young carers will be paid for the same cared for person in 12 months due to COVID-19. In this case, both applicants will receive Young Carer Grant. You should not deny the second young carer’s application if it meets the other eligibility criteria. This is only in cases where the application is affected by COVID-19.
If, when taking an application over the phone, the client says they were delayed making the application due to COVID-19 circumstances, you should record this in the ‘Additional Information’ section at the end of the form.
The client may have referred to COVID-19 or the UK lockdown on the ‘Additional Information’ section of their application.
If the client has mentioned COVID-19 or the impact of lockdown on their application, rather than run an eligibility check, forward the case to the control team. If you are unsure, speak to your Team Manager.
On these applications, the Eligibility Check will show as ‘Not Eligible’. The eligibility summary will show ‘Age - ‘Fail’. This means that the client is outwith the eligibility window due to their age.
You should create a task on these cases for action by the Control Team, and take no further action on the application yourself.