LBWF

Children In

Care Service

Care Leaver’s Guide to
Financial Help & Support

A guide for young people who are living independently and are ‘Looked After’, or are ‘Leaving Care’.

‘How much money can I get to help with the things I really need?’

Money - you can’t really live without it, especially if you’re living on your own! - But what can you expect to get if you are leaving care and living independently?

The Legal bit!

Under TheChildren's Act 1989 (section 24) and Children's (Leaving Care) Act 2000,Children Services have powers to provide financial support to young people who are leaving care as part of their support arrangements for them. The following information explains what financial help you can expect to receive from the Children In Care Service if you are a care leaver, including advice on the benefits available to young people over 18 who are eligible to claim. The financial help available to you will vary depending on your individual circumstances, so please read on, and don’t forget to speak to your Social Worker or Personal Advisor if you want more information.

This guide includes information on:-

  • Financial support for care leavers over 18 who were previously looked after. (‘Former relevant children’)
  • Other 'One-off' payments or grants you may be entitled to receive as a care leaver.

Please note that some young people may not be eligible to work, receive benefits or be eligible to attend some further and higher education courses and your individual circumstances will need to be assessed and alternative support considered.

Students – Education and Training

Financial help if you are still at school, continuing in further education or training and living Independently

How long will I receive support with education and when does support with education end for care leavers?

As a care leaver you are entitled to support until you are 21 years old if you are on a continuous full-time further education course. Young people entering into Higher Education (e.g. degree level) as part of a continued programme are entitled to support until they are 25 or until the course is completed – whichever comes first. Please note eligibility for some courses and the ability to obtain financial support may be restricted due to your immigration status.

It is important that you inform us of any income that you receive so that we can make a full financial assessment as part of your Pathway Plan and assess what additional financial support should be provided. All financial support is normally paid direct to your bank account.

What money can I get if I'm studying full-time, and will I be entitled to claim benefits or grants?

Young parents aged 18 and above are able to claim Income Support if in full time education and will only receive an allowance until they are in receipt of income support.

Care leavers over 18 can claim Income Support if they are studying a non-advanced education course (below degree level) on the grounds of being ‘estranged from their family’. You will have to start or be enrolled/accepted onto the full time course before your 19th birthday and can claim until you turn 21. We will continue to provide you with an allowance until your income support claim has been processed. If you are unable to claim income support as a full-time student because you are over 20 years old and in higher Education we will continue to provide you with a weekly allowance.

EMA – Education Maintenance Allowance

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) scheme closed to new applicants on 1st January 2011. The 16-19 Bursary Fund has been put in place for those between 16 and 19 years old who might struggle with the costs for full-time education or training.

Students most in need will be eligible to receive a bursary of £1,200 a year. This group includes: people in care, care leavers and people claiming income support

Speak to your school, college, Academy or training provider about how to apply for a bursary

ALG - Adult Learning Grant

The Adult Learning Grant (ALG) has become part of Discretionary Learner Support. This support helps students in financial need with their learning costs.You can now no longer apply for ALG. Instead you can apply for Discretionary Learner Support if you are 19 years or over.

Support is available with the costs of:childcare, travel, books, equipment and other essentials for your studies.

Schools and colleges set their own criteria and manage their own procedures. This means that the amounts available, and the way funds are allocated, may differ between institutions.

Travel costs to place of education

Young people in education will receive additional help with reasonable travel costs where needed to attend education. Travel costs are provided for the most cost effective route to college. Students must use Student Oyster Cards where applicable for free or reduced cost travel.

Financial Assessments

Please note every case will be considered individually, and will depend on your commitment to attending college regularly, as part of your agreed career plan and Pathway Plan. In order for you to receive financial support whilst in full-time education we will carry out an individual financial assessment of your income and eligibility for benefits.

Young people must also provide written confirmation of being accepted at college and give us permission to confirm your continuing attendance. It is important that you provide the written proof of acceptance before you start the course as we will be unable to back-date additional educational payments unless there are exceptional circumstances that prevented you from providing the information required to assess your financial support needs.

Employment (in receipt of Apprenticeship)

Young people who attend full-time training or apprenticeships will be provided with travel cost and mayreceive additional financial support if the income received is less than that received by a young person in college on a full time course.

Rent

Young person between the ages of 18-21 who are not in education, employment or training will be eligible to apply for housing benefit. For those who are unable to claim housing benefit e.g if in higher education or those without leave to remain the Children in Care service will be responsible for payment of your rent

Further Education - College – e.g. degree or higher diploma level courses

Care leavers who are students in further education e.g. studying at college will be eligible for weekly subsistence allowance, travel cost and support with rent. You will also be expected to claim a maintenance grant from the education department.

Students in University will be entitled to £2,000 from April 2010 as a one off payment. You may be able to apply for student loans as a higher education student, however we strongly advise against this, as the financial support we currently provide should mean that you do not need to take on any debts that you will eventually have to be repaid.

Higher Education Student Bursaries

All students in Higher Education including the Nursing Diploma courses may be entitled to receive maintenance bursaries from the University towards the cost of living expenses. It is the young person’s responsibility to claim these bursaries and confirm the amount received to assessment whether additional financial support can be received.

Please note if you receive a bursary payment you may still be eligible for additional financial support from the Children in Care Service. The Local Authority will support all students taking their first degree. Students wishing to continue their studies after their first degree will need to finance these themselves.

Rent

Rent will be paid by the Local Authority - Children In Care Services throughout the duration of the same course. All financial support will cease at age of 24/25.

Accommodation Costs during Vacations

Students in higher education living away from home during term time, who want to return to the local area during vacations, will be found temporary alternative accommodation by the Children in Care Services.

Maternity Allowances

Financial help if you are expecting a child or already have a child.

What if I’m pregnant or have a child already and I’m unable to work, what help can I get?

You could be entitled to…..

All pregnant women over the age of 16 can get a Health in Pregnancy Grant. The money is to help you with your extra cost in the run up to your baby’s birth.

Income support helps people on a low income and is for people who don’t have to sign on as unemployed. Unlike many other benefits, you can claim this aged 16 or 17 if you are responsible for a child. Income Support can be claimed from the day the baby is born if you are 16 and 17 or 11 weeks before the due birth date if you are over 18.

Healthy Start Vouchers, these are weekly vouchers which can be used to buy liquid milk, infant formula or fresh fruit and vegetables in general retail outlets.

If you have been working (even, for example a weekend job) you could be entitled to either Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer or Maternity Allowance from the state. It depends on the length of time you have been employed and the amount of money you have been earning.

Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment to help with the costs of a new baby and you do not have to pay it back..

Child Benefit is a tax-free payment that you can claim for your child. If you are still in care you can get Child Benefit if your child is living with you, for example with a foster carer, even if that child is also in care.

Child Tax Credits are payments you can claim if you have a child. The lower your income, the more tax credit you can get.

Young Parents in Full-time Education

Full-time students who have children are also entitled to claim benefits and help with childcare costs during term-time under the ‘Care To Learn’ scheme. In order to be eligible you must be under 20 years old on the day your course begins, living in England, your childcare must be registered in the UK and be on a course in school or 6th form college. Students in higher education who are parents are also able to receive lone parent grants from the student loan company and may be eligible to receive benefits such as housing benefit depending on their circumstances.

Young Parents Who Are Working

Young parents who wish to work may also be able to get extra financial help such as childcare support and working Tax Credit from the Benefits Agency but this will be dependent on your circumstance

If you are pregnant or have a child please speak to your Social Worker, Personal Advisor or Local Benefits Agency for advice on claiming benefits.

Care Leavers

Help for young people who are over 18 and unemployed or unable to work

What if I’m over 18and I’m a care leaver, can I still get help if I'm not working?

If you are over 18 years old and unemployed you will no longer be entitled to receive subsistence allowance from the Children in Care Service and will be expected to claim benefits.

If you are currently seeking employment or you are studying part-time you will be expected to claim ‘Job Seeker’s Allowance’ from the Benefits Agency and will be given advice and assistance to make a claim.

Subsistence Allowance while you make a 'fresh claim' for benefits

If you are making a new claim for Job Seekers Allowance or Income Support, we will provide you with a discretionary subsistence allowance whilst you await payment from the Benefits Agency. This can normally be paid for up to 3 weeks as long as you provide proof that you have taken the necessary steps to claim benefit and progress your claim and allow us to verify your circumstances with the Benefits Agency. It is the care leaver’s responsibility to make a claim, visit the Job Centre/Connexions, return completed claim forms, attend interviews/appointment and provide proof that payment has not been received.

The initial payment will be for £56.25 and subsequent payments will be £30 pending benefits being processed. The Benefit Agency will reimburse young person from the start of their claim. The onus is on the young person to chase the Benefit Agency regarding their claim within the stipulated period.

Young person who have no recourse to public funds

Young person will receive a weekly subsistence allowance from the Children in Care Service of £56.25. This is based on current benefit levels - and will be at least the same amount as Job Seeker's Allowance or Income Support paid to under 25 year olds living independently. This will be paid directly into your own bank account every week and this will be your main source of income.

Sickness and Incapacity Benefits

Financial help if you are too ill to work or claim Job Seeker's Allowance.

What if I'm too sick to work and I’m over 18, what financial support will I be entitled to?

If you are over 18 and are unable to work due to significant ill health or sign on for Job Seeker’s Allowance you may be entitled to ‘Income Support’ until you are well enough to seek employment or claim ‘Job Seekers Allowance’. The Benefits Agency would require a valid certificate from your doctor (GP) stating your reasons for being unable to work before they consider your claim.

In very exceptional circumstances if your health difficulties are longer-term or more permanent and generally prevent you from undertaking regular employment, you may be entitled to claim Incapacity Benefit or Disability Living Allowance. For more information on this please see leaflets available from the Benefits Agency and discuss your situation with your Social Worker /Personal Adviser and the Benefits Agency to make sure you are claiming the right benefits.

Please note if you are refused one type of benefit when you are not working you may be entitled to another form of benefitas eachcase is assessed individually by the Benefits Agency.

'Rent'

What about rent, how do I pay it?

I'm not working or studying how do I pay my rent?

If you are over 18 you will be responsible for your rent and expected where possible to claim Housing Benefit towards the cost of your rent. If you are seeking employment and claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance or are eligible to claim income support as a full-time student under 20years of age or as a young mother, you will be expected to claim housing benefit towards the cost of your rent.

Students aged 20 or in Higher Education such as degree level courses are unable to claim any benefits including housing benefits. Some young mothers will receive assistance in paying their rent from the Children in Care Service until the end of their course as long as they are not in receipt of a bursary towards living expenses e.g. those on nursing diploma courses.

I'm working do I have to pay rent?

If you are working you may not be expected to pay any rent while you are living in accommodation that is provided by the Children in Care Service. However, if you are in your own tenancy you are expected to claim housing benefit as you may be entitled to help with your rent depending on how much you earn. You will be responsible for paying rent or claiming housing benefit where eligible.

'One-off grants'

Other money available to Care Leavers

What other financial help can I get if I need something important that I can't afford to buy out of my weekly income?

Such payments are discretionary, following an assessment within a financial framework of your individual circumstances and needs.

'Top-up into work' Grants

This is to help young people who are starting a new job or training scheme as we realise that often you won't be paid immediately and will have extra costs in getting to work. The Children in Care Service will pay you subsistence for the first w 2 weeks of work and travel cost for a maximum of 4 weeks. This will be based on benefit levels and an assessment of travel cost. You will also be required to provide proof of the job offer.

Leaving Care Grants – Setting Up Home

The Leaving Care Grant is available to young people that are moving into their own tenancy via Local Authority, and is intended to enable you to purchase essential furniture and equipment such as a bed, cooker, fridge, etc. You will also be assisted to claim a Community Care Grant from the benefits agency via the resettlement officer if you are in receipt of benefits and eligible for one at the time you move in.

Travel Grants for Family Contact -

As part of your agreed Pathway Plan we can offer discretionary financial help towards the cost of travel to visit family members to enable you to stay in contact. This will normally be in the form of a travel warrant that is exchanged for a return train/tube ticket, or a one day bus pass or travel card factoring in the cheapest route. All payments have to be agreed in advance with reasonable notice.