Allowances

This is paid by the local authority.

Who can get it?

You can get it if you are no longer living in Foster Care or Residential Care, are under 18 and a Relevant Care Leaver. Young mothers under 18, can apply for Universal Credit and may not be entitled to this allowance.

How much is it?  

Equivalent to Universal Credit rate.

You are expected to let us know if you have any other income as this might reduce the amount we pay you.

This is paid by the local authority.

Who can get it?

Relevant Care Leavers age 16 -17 years can get this allowance if you are in hospital or prison.

Age 18-25 - if you are in employment and not in receipt of funds or you are not working and your benefits have stopped; we will support you whilst you are in hospital or in custody.

How much is it?

£10 per week.

What is it for?

It is for agreed items e.g. toiletries and is only payable at the discretion of the Personal Advisor and after agreement with the hospital or prison.

This is paid by the local authority.

Who can get it?  

Young people over 18 years making their first claim for benefits.

How much is it?  

Up to the equivalent of Universal Credit for minimum of 2 weeks, maximum of 5 weeks after your 18th birthday while making a fresh claim for benefits e.g. when first living independently at 18.

What must you provide?   

You must provide evidence of making a fresh claim for benefits and other sources of income must be taken into account. Further payments must be re-paid when you receive back dated payment of benefits.  If you fail to pay back any payment this will be deducted from any savings the Care Leavers’ team hold for you.

This is paid by the local authority.

Who can get it?

Young people under 18 not living in foster or residential care. 

How much is it?

The amount is at the discretion of the local authority.

This is paid by the local authority.

Who can get it?

Young people not living in foster or residential care and are an Eligible, Relevant or Former Relevant care leaver.  

How much is it? 

• £15 for 17th birthday
• £25 for 18th birthday
• £15 for 19th birthday
• £15 for 20th birthday
• £50 for 21st birthday

What is it for?

This payment is used towards the cost of a birthday present.

This is paid by the local authority.

Who can get it?

Any Eligible, Relevant or Former Relevant care leaver. Not living in foster or residential care.

How much is it?

Up to £25 per year dependent upon your personal circumstances.

When is it given?  

It is given during the festival chosen by the young person e.g. Ramadan, Hannukah, Christmas.

This is paid by the local authority.

If you are in further education (age 16 -19)

You can apply for a bursary if you stay in full-time education. For advice speak to student support services or your tutor or your PA.

You are also entitled to a Personal Education Plan (PEP) which will help the school or college identify/monitor and support your learning needs.

Support to access further education colleges

Before starting college: You will receive support and guidance during Year 11 to enable you to make a decision about your next step. This will start with a meeting with the Connexions PA and Virtual School within your education setting - If you decide to go to college a personalised interview and tour of your chosen college will be arranged for you and your carers.

• Your next steps will be discussed and reviewed at your PEP meetings in Year 11
• College will provide a named contact so that you and your carers can ask any questions
• College will contact educational establishments that you have attended to improve your learning journey in college. 

On starting college: When you enrol at college you will receive a welcome pack with:

• details of important members of staff you may need to contact
• where to go in college if you need help
• what will be expected of you as a college student
• information about what money you can apply for and how to claim it. College staff will support your learning by holding two PEPs per academic year while you are at college. 

Your named contact in college will monitor your learning throughout your time at college and can be contacted by yourself, your carers or your Social Worker/PA for any information or advice during your time there.

If you are in higher education (HE) - degree level

• You can receive a higher education bursary which totals £2,000 paid in yearly instalments over the duration of your course - usually three years
• Other financial support for higher education (HE):
  • Accommodation fees - which could be halls of residence or a flat and includes administration fees/ deposit and rent. Please speak to your Personal advisor for further information.
  • Travel costs if remaining at home by way of bus/train pass or a petrol allowance if you have use of a car
• We also support you to be able to return home during term time if you are living away, by covering costs as follows:
  • Travel cost to and from place of study once a term. This would be for main holidays - Christmas/ Easter/summer.
  • If you return to your Staying Put placement, we will pay a board and lodgings fee (this would be for Christmas/Easter and summer holidays.

Who can get it?

Young people not in foster or residential care.

How much is it?

The amount is determined on individual circumstances.

What is it for?

It is for books, materials and equipment, registration/enrolment fees, trips etc., where they have been recommended by your tutor in writing. You are expected to claim all other grants available and funding from charities/voluntary agencies etc. Your Personal Advisor will help with any applications made.

What happens if I go to university?

If you go to university, you should apply to Student Finance for the Maintenance Loan. Your Personal Advisor will discuss this with you further.

There are also other bursaries that young people may access through the university, but this does vary between universities; some are performance related.

In respect of Dudley Council, the following is paid for:

• The accommodation including any reasonable admin fees and reasonable deposits (which are average in the local area)
• Travel costs if required including £10 per week petrol allowance if using a car during trm time or while on placement.
• Water rates where applicable
• £2,000 Care Leavers Bursary spread over three years at £666.66 per year which is paid in the summer when you break up from university. This bursary was introduced by the government (The Children and Young Persons Act 2008) to help with the costs of university life. Only one bursary is available for each former relevant child. This could be subject to change

Dudley Council does not pay university tuition fees. Your Personal Advisor will support you in applying for a tuition fee loan (student loan) to cover these costs. You will then need to pay back the loan once you have left university and have a job.

What is it for?

It is for young people who are in Higher or Further Education who are unable to stay at their term time accommodation. You must give 12 weeks’ notice to make a claim for this and provide written confirmation of your rent costs.

Who can get it?

Young people over 18 and in Higher or Further Education living in private rented accommodation.

How much is it?

This can be up to the housing benefit rate in the area you live up to a maximum amount of £80 per week.

• Living away from the Staying Put host’s home for temporary periods of time, such as attending university or higher education, will not stop you from remaining in a Staying Put arrangement. This will enable the continuation of family relationships.
• Where you are resident at university or other residential study establishment the Staying Put host(s) will be paid a pro-rata payment of the full weekly allowance for each 24hour period that you reside at the provider’s home plus a retainer payment during term time.
• If you do ‘stay put’ during vacation periods, then you will need to make some contribution to your living costs either from your earnings or from benefits.