We provide financial support to the following care leavers:
- 16 or 17 years old living in semi-independent accommodation and with eligible care leaver status
- 18 to 20 years old with former relevant status
- 21 to 24 years old on an agreed educational course or training
The offer for 18 to 24-year-olds is dependent upon your immigration status.
Weekly maintenance
Personal allowance
16 and 17 year olds
We pay a weekly personal allowance at the current rate of benefits.
18 to 20 year olds
No personal allowance is given, however you can claim benefits.
A transition grant will be offered to ensure a smooth transition to benefits for up to 6 weeks. If you cannot access public funds due to your immigration status remaining unvolved, you will continue to receive weekly maintenance from us.
21 to 24 year olds
No personal allowance is given, but you can claim benefits or student finance.
Housing
Cost of accommodation
16 and 17 year olds
Your rent and any other support costs are paid by H&F.
18 to 20 year olds
We will not pay your rent, but you can claim benefits.
We may pay support costs if you are in a SIL or Staying Put. This will be subject to an assessment and approval by the 18+ Care and Resource Panel.
21 to 24 year olds
We will not pay your rent, but you can claim benefits or student finance.
We may pay returnable deposits or rent in advance for higher education (university) placements.
Council tax
16 and 17 year olds
You don't pay council tax.
18 to 20 year olds
You will not pay council tax if you live in H&F. If you live outside of the borough, we will reimburse the cost of council tax until you turn 25.
21 to 24 year olds
You will not pay council tax if you live in H&F. If you live outside of the borough, we will reimburse the cost of council tax until you turn 25.
Setting up home and leaving care allowance
16 and 17 year olds
If you need specific items such as a TV, you can use up to £300 from your setting up home allowance (£3,000). This will then be deducted from your allowance when you move into your first home.
18 to 20 year olds
When you move into your first home you will get £3,000 to buy essential household items such as:
- furniture
- white goods
- carpets
- and curtains.
21 to 24 year olds
A discretionary allowance may be given subject to a needs assessment.
Education and training
Books, equipment and stationery
16 and 17 year olds
You will get up to £50 a year towards books, equipment and stationery.
18 to 20 year olds
You will get up to £50 a year towards books, equipment and stationery.
21 to 24 year olds
A discretionary payment may be given subject to a needs assessment if you are in further education.
College and higher education fees
16 and 17 year olds
We will contribute towards the cost of your course, for example, registration or examination fees (this is subject to an assessment).
18 to 20 year olds
We will contribute towards the cost of your course, for example, registration or examination fees subject to an assessment.
If you are at university and living independently (including student halls of residence), we will give you £5,000 a year for up to 4 years. This is subject to approval by the 18+ Care and Resource Panel.
If you are at university and staying put with your foster carer or in semi-independent living, we will give you £2,000 across the 3 or 4-year course of study.
21 to 24 year olds
We may contribute to the cost of a higher education course if:
- you have previously not had a parental contribution
- and your course began before your 25th birthday.
This will be subject to a needs assessment.
College travel costs
16 and 17 year olds
We will pay for the cheapest means of travel where possible, for example by bus. You will need to get a student Oyster card.
18 to 20 year olds
We will pay for the cheapest means of travel where possible, for example by bus. You will need to get a student Oyster card.
21 to 24 year olds
No travel allowance will be given, but you can claim benefits or student finance.
Top-up payments
16 and 17 year olds
You will get a weekly top-up payment of £16 if you are not eligible for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.
18 to 20 year olds
You will get a weekly top-up payment of £16 if you are not eligible for the 16 to 19 Bursary Fund.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Travel
Discounted travel in London
16 and 17 year olds
We will support you to apply for TfL discounted travel on buses and trams in London.
18 to 20 year olds
We will support you to apply for TfL discounted travel on buses and trams in London.
21 to 24 year olds
We will support you to apply for TfL discounted travel on buses and trams in London.
Passport, birth certificate and travel documents
16 and 17 year olds
We will pay for your:
- birth certificate (1 copy and a replacement)
- passport (first one and renewal)
- travel document (if you don't have a passport).
18 to 20 year olds
We can support you with the costs of getting a passport, birth certificate and other travel documents.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Work
Apprenticeship bursary
16 and 17 year olds
If you are on an apprenticeship, you will get a bursary of £2,000 paid in 12 monthly instalments.
18 to 20 year olds
If you are on an apprenticeship, you will get a bursary of £2,000 paid in 12 monthly instalments.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Employment and training support grant
16 and 17 year olds
You can get a one-off grant up to £500 for equipment and uniforms (this is subject to an assessment).
18 to 20 year olds
You can get a one-off grant up to £500 for equipment and uniforms. This is subject to an assessment.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this, but you can claim benefits or student finance.
Full-time work bridging grant
16 and 17 year olds
You will get weekly payments matched to the Universal Credit rate, for the first 4 weeks of your employment while you wait for your first salary.
18 to 20 year olds
You will get weekly payments matched to the Universal Credit rate, for the first 4 weeks of your employment while you wait for your first salary.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Interview, work clothes and uniform allowance
16 and 17 year olds
You can get up to £100 each year towards clothes to wear to work (including uniforms) and interviews.
18 to 20 year olds
You can get up to £100 each year towards clothes to wear to work (including uniforms) and interviews.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Personal care
Birthday and festivity money
16 and 17 year olds
You will get £30 a year for a festival of your choice and a £30 gift or voucher for your birthday - gift card?
18 to 20 year olds
You will get a £30 gift or voucher on your 19th and 20th birthdays.
You will get a £40 gift or voucher on your 18th and 21st birthdays.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Clothing allowance
16 and 17 year olds
You will get 3 payments of £150 throughout the year to buy clothes.
18 to 20 year olds
A discretionary one-off payment of up to £150 in any one year can be claimed as agreed by the team manager.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Dental care
16 and 17 year olds
You can get up to £500 top-up of NHS treatments if you are in full-time education.
18 to 20 year olds
You can get up to £500 top-up of NHS treatments if you are in full-time education and not covered by the NHS.
If you are in full-time employment or on an apprenticeship, please discuss this with your personal advisor.
21 to 24 year olds
You can get up to £500 top-up of NHS treatments if you are in full-time education and not covered by the NHS.
If you are in full-time employment or on an apprenticeship, please discuss this with your personal advisor.
Gym and leisure
16 and 17 year olds
We will cover the monthly cost of your gym and fitness activities (from the agreed pool of provision). This will be reviewed every 3 months to make sure the membership is being used.
18 to 20 year olds
We will cover the monthly cost of your gym and fitness activities (from the agreed pool of provision). This will be reviewed every 3 months to make sure the membership is being used.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Maternity grant
16 and 17 year olds
You can get up to £200 for maternity wear and £200 for baby equipment.
18 to 20 year olds
You can get up to £200 for maternity wear and £200 for baby equipment.
21 to 24 year olds
You may receive a one-off payment of £200 for maternity wear as agreed by the team manager.
Optical care
16 and 17 year olds
You can get up to £100 to help cover the costs for prescription glasses or contact lenses not covered by the NHS.
18 to 20 year olds
You can get up to £100 to help cover the costs for prescription glasses or contact lenses not covered by the NHS.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Prescriptions
16 and 17 year olds
You are exempt from paying prescription costs if you are in full-time education.
If you are not in full-time education, your prescription costs will be covered. You will need to contact your personal advisor and provide a copy of your prescription.
18 to 20 year olds
We will cover your costs. A copy of your prescription must be provided before this agreement.
21 to 24 year olds
We will cover your costs. A copy of your prescription must be provided before this agreement.
Wellbeing
16 and 17 year olds
You can get up to £50 a year for an activity that supports your wellbeing such as relaxation activities, a haircut or a day out. This will be agreed with you as part of your Pathway Plan and approved by a team manager.
18 to 20 year olds
You can get up to £50 a year for an activity that supports your wellbeing such as relaxation activities, a haircut or a day out. This will be agreed with you as part of your Pathway Plan and approved by a team manager.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.
Young people in custody
16 and 17 year olds
You will get £40 a month.
18 to 20 year olds
You will get £20 a month.
21 to 24 year olds
You are not eligible for this.