Care Leaver's Financial Guide

This is a guide to the financial support that you may be entitled to when you leave the care of Dudley Council.

Your Personal Advisor (PA) can explain and give you more information if you want to discuss anything further. 

Financial support can include:

• Money to live on
• Emergency cover
• Accommodation costs
• Support to enable a young person to engage in education   and training
• Help to promote contact with your family
• Birthday/festival allowances

You may be entitled to some elements of financial support, provided by Dudley when you reach a certain age, dependant on your Care Leaver Status, for instance if you are living independently, but unable to claim benefits. However, your entitlement should be confirmed to you before you make plans to spend the money.

You may be able to have other financial support, but this is discretionary and is dependent on your individual circumstances. If you wish to claim a discretionary payment you should discuss your needs with your Personal Advisor (PA).

We will take into account a number of factors when deciding on the level of financial support you will receive. These factors can include your age, your financial position, the reason for your request, and how the decision will affect you.

Your PA will also advise and help you claim any welfare benefits that may be available to you. They will do their very best to support you.  
Whenever allowances or grants are given, we do need to make sure that you provide receipts for all goods or services that are purchased. 
Always remember that you should ask for advice if you cannot find the information that you want in this guidance.

Contact your PA: 01384817670

If you are living in supported lodgings, foyer, hostel or other supported accommodation Children’s Services will pay your rent or accommodation costs. Service charges may apply which you will have to pay. These will be dependent on the type of accommodation that you are staying in. The service charge will be paid from your allowance you receive from The Care Experience Team.

You should not be held liable for Council Tax unless you are aged 18 or over and live in your own flat or house.

As a care leaver you may be entitled to a reduction in Council Tax.

Contact your Personal Advisor (PA) for further advice.

If you are working

If you are working or you are on an agreed training course, then you will usually be expected to live on your wages. However, depending on your personal circumstances you may be entitled to some benefits.

Your PA will check your entitlement with you.

If you aren’t working or work part time

If you aren’t working or you are working part time, then you should normally be able to claim Universal Credit:

• Universal Credit - This is available where you are able and are looking for work
• Universal Credit - This is available if you are for example a lone parent or are in what is known as “relevant education” (explained below)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Only available for some where universal credit is not relevant
• Universal Credits - includes Housing Benefit entitlement 

If you are to be treated as in “relevant education” you must be under 21 years and studying.

You may also qualify for money from the government Bursary Fund. This fund is intended to support young people in education up to the age of 19.

If you are attending a training course and you are getting a training allowance, then you may also be entitled to claim Universal Credit in addition to your training allowance. 

When you reach 18 you will be responsible for paying your own rent and council tax. However, as a care leaver you may be entitled to a reduction in Council Tax. Contact your Personal Advisor (PA) for further advice.

If you are working

You would be expected to pay your rent and council tax from your wages. However, if you are on a low wage or only working part time you may be able to claim for housing benefit and council tax reduction. It is dependent on your circumstances and the amount that you earn as to whether or not you get any assistance.

If you aren’t working

If you are in receipt of Universal Credit then you will normally be able to claim Housing Benefit. The amount should be enough to pay all of your rent. You may have to pay some rent if your rent is unusually high, including ineligible services eg service charge or personal contribution or you have a spare bedroom that is not being used.