Financial Support and Assistance
Leaving care and transitioning to independent living will bring with it many challenges; one of these will be managing your own money.
We will try to help you stay on top of your finances by helping you to budget and letting you know about opportunities to build on your budgeting skills. We may also give you access to certain allowances for things like your living costs if you are ineligible to claim benefits, a gift for special occasions such as a birthday or religious celebration, staying in touch with people who are important to you, buying essential items for your home, buying necessary equipment for education, training or work and helping you with the cost of going to university. We may also agree to help you with things which we would consider as exceptional circumstances if we feel it is appropriate to do so.
Before you receive this support, we will consider your circumstances and the assistance available to you already. If we do agree to financially assist you this will be based on your needs and recorded clearly within your pathway plan.
If you’re on a low income or claiming certain benefits, we realise that money is tight. We will help you to maximise your income ensuring you’re aware of everything you are entitled to, child benefit and Universal Credit.
Dependent on your circumstances, the Leaving Care Service can offer varying additional financial support, which could include:
- Setting up home grant of up to £3000, to furnish and set up your home. The amount is dependent on eligibility and need (see the financial offer for more details).
- Support to prevent housing arrears.
- Council tax reduction scheme – up to the age of 21, you will be supported to apply for the reduction in council tax, even if you don’t live in Rotherham.
- If you are in debt, we can help you to get specialist advice and support.
- You may be eligible for a Junior ISA if you have been in care for more than a year and do not have a Child Trust Fund. Speak to your Personal Advisor to find out more.
- Your Personal Advisor can share with you the current finance policy for Care Leavers
- We will pay for up to ten driving lessons, if you have had some driving lessons already. We will also pay for your first theory test and practical test.
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A chart to outline what finances you may be entitled to is included below.
| Criteria | Eligible Young Person | Relevant Young Person | Former Relevant Young Persons aged 18-21 Living Independently |
Qualifying Young People (up to 21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Living Allowance if you are unable to claim Universal Credit. | £71.93 | £71.93 | £71.93 | No |
| Clothing Allowance Summer | £150 | £150 | £150 | No |
| Clothing Allowance Winter | £150 | £150 | £150 | No |
| Additional clothing allowance for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children | To be assessed but up to a limit of £150 | To be assessed but up to a limit of £150 | Not Applicable |
Not Applicable |
| Birthday Gift - 18 | £233 | £233 | £100 | No |
| Birthday Gift- 19 | £50 | £50 | £50 | No |
| Birthday Gift - 20 | £50 | £50 | £50 | No |
| Birthday Gift - 21 | £100 | £100 | £100 | No |
| Festival Payment | £100 | £100 | £100 | No |
| Cultural and Religious Items | £50 | £50 | £50 | No |
| Maternity - First Child | £200 | £200 | £200 | No |
| Driving (Licence and Test Fees) | £120 | £120 | £120 | No |
| Driving lessons | £350 | £350 | £350 | No |
| University HE Bursary and maintenance costs at university | £2000 | £2000 | £2000 | Based on assessment |
| University accommodation costs | To be assessed but up to £7500 | To be assessed but up to £7500 | To be assessed but up to £7500 | To be assessed but up to £7500 |
| University Vacation Accommodation | To be assessed but based on average halls of residence rates | To be assessed but based on average halls of residence rates | To be assessed but based on average halls of residence rates | To be assessed but based on average halls of residence rates |
| University UCAS application | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Prom and Graduation | £100 | £100 | £100 | To be assessed |
| University Travel costs | Based on assessment | Based on assessment | Based on assessment | No |
| University Household Items for Accommodation | Based on assessment | Based on assessment | Based on assessment | No |
| University Initial Food Shop | £75 | £75 | £75 | £75 |
| Custody Remand and Sentence weekly payment | £20 | £20 | £20 | No |
| Payments for Consultation / participation work | £30 | £30 | £30 | £30 |
| Financial support in an emergency | Based on assessment | Based on assessment | Based on assessment | Based on assessment |