Local offer for care leavers

Your money

You can get advice around managing your money from your personal advisor.

Here are some of the other ways that we can help:

Council tax

If you live in Leicestershire we will support you to get 100 percent discount on your council tax bill, until you're 25 years old. If you live outside Leicestershire then we have a discretionary scheme to help pay your council tax bill (after any discounts or exemptions have been applied to it), you'll need to speak to your personal advisor or the duty worker and may be asked for details of your finances to determine what support you can receive.

Benefits

Your personal advisor can tell you about what benefits you’re entitled to claim and how to claim. We also have a Welfare Rights Advisor if you need more specialist advice.

Bursaries for university

If you are a care leaver studying at university, then you may be entitled to a bursary from the council of £4,000 per year. We may also be able to help you with accommodation over the holidays if you need it. Your personal advisor can help find out if there is additional support that you can access from your university.

Support for higher education courses

We may be able to help with costs for travel, books and course materials, as well as assess whether you need help with your living and childcare expenses while you study.

Weekly allowance

If you’re 16 or 17 and live in semi-independent or independent accommodation, then you will be entitled to a weekly allowance, until you are able to claim universal credit and payments are in place. 

Learning to drive

If you’re learning to drive, then we can help pay for your license, test and half of the costs of your lessons. Please speak to your personal advisor for more information.

Celebrations

You may be entitled to money to help celebrate your birthdays and Christmas (or another religious festival if you prefer) until the age of 21.