As a care leaver, you are entitled to a range of financial support.
On this page
We can help you with:
- Education, training and employment costs. Education materials and equipment (not covered by education bursary)
- Birthday and religious festival allowances (up to age 21)
- Birth certificates, passports, and driving licenses and other identification documents
- Setting up home allowance (also known as leaving care grants). The setting up home allowance provided by Dudley Council is a discretionary payment of up to £3,000.
- First year TV licence
- Providing an allowance between starting work and getting your first salary
Further information is available in a separate Care Leavers Financial Guide.
If you are a care leaver and under 18 you are not entitled to claim Universal Credit unless you are a single parent. Instead, you will receive a leaving care maintenance allowance. This is equivalent to Universal Credit benefit rate.
If you are 18 or over and are not in any education, employment, training or working on a low income you will be able to apply for Welfare Benefits.
If you need to apply for Welfare Benefits, your PA will support you with this process:
- A three-way interview with you, Job Centre Plus and your PA to identify your best options
- An opportunity to make an advanced claim, 4 weeks before you turn 18 to enable a smoother transition and prevent delay in payments when you are 18
- An entitlement to attend a voluntary ‘entry to work programme’ if unemployed for three months
We can provide a discretionary payment from the age of 18 to support you whilst your benefit claim or first wage payment is in process.
Please see our resources and partner agencies directory for further assistance options you can discuss with your PA.
Council Tax
If you, or your partner, are liable to pay council tax, and are aged between 18-25 and have previously been in local authority care, you may be able to claim up to 100% Council Tax Reduction, dependent upon your individual circumstances. Please speak to your PA who will provide a supporting letter. Visit our benefits pages or telephone Council Tax reduction on 0300 555 8100 for more information.
We look at other sources of funding and grants such as the Household Support Fund to try to pay for the Council Tax for Dudley care experienced young people placed out of borough.
TV Licence
We will fund your first year’s TV license if you have your own tenancy. Visit the GOV.UK TV licence page for more information.