Under the current system young carers are unable to claim the £4,000 a year carer’s allowance benefit if they are studying for 21 hours or more a week.
This '21-hour rule' is effectively forcing them to choose between accessing A Levels and T Levels, which involve more studying time, or gain the allowance of £81.90 a week, according to the Carers Trust.
Research published this week by the charity has revealed up to 19,370 young adult carers are being impacted. This is based on the number of carers aged 16 to 24 in England and Wales who already fulfil another carer’s allowance rule, of providing care for at least 35 hours a week.
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