Benefits for care leavers in the UK

Who’s a care leaver in the UK?

Care leavers are young people moving from care to independent living. Officially a care leaver is someone who was in local council care for 13 weeks or more on their 16th birthday. Councils must support care leavers until they are 25.

But the Care Leavers Association has a wider definition. It includes “any adult who spent time in care as a child”.

Understanding the care leaver Status

Understanding your care leaver status is vital.

Charity Coram has a tool to help you work out your care status.

Available benefits for care leavers

The benefits available to care leavers depend on your circumstances. Remember: councils have to support your living costs up to 18.

Your support covers practical, emotional and financial support. It should cover your needs – from housing to food, transport and clothing. Councils publish a 'local offer' detailing care leaver support.

Some care leavers may qualify for other benefits and bursaries.

Universal Credit

Most care leavers under 18 don’t get Universal Credit.

This changes if:

• You or a partner are looking after a child under 16
• Your GP has given you a fit note saying you are ‘unfit for work’
• You have limited capability for work

Care leavers can claim Universal Credit when they turn 18. And care leavers can get help claiming Universal Credit 28 days before their 18^th birthday. You can do this with a pre-claim appointment at your Jobcentre.

This is all covered by the Care Leaver Covenant. But if you’re unsure, a social worker or the Citizen’s Advice can help. You may be also entitled to extra social care support – such as Jobcentre pre-claim appointments or travel discounts.

Jobseeker's Allowance

If you’re under 18 and a care leaver you won’t get Jobseeker’s Allowance. That’s because your local authority takes responsibility for your day-to-day costs. But if you’re responsible for a child you may be able to claim. For example, if you’re a young single parent.

Care leavers aged 18-24 and not in full-time education but looking for a job may be eligible – it depends on your circumstances. Ask your personal adviser to help you.

Employment and Support Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has now been replaced by Universal Credit. But if you were already getting ESA before the change, you might still get it.

Personal Independence Payment

Some care leavers can claim Personal Independence Payment.

Disability Living Allowance

Personal Independence Payment is replacing Disability Living Allowance. For 16- to 17-year-old care leavers with a disability or health issue, PIP is the place to start. Your personal adviser is your first port of call.

Housing Benefit

Most care leavers can’t claim Housing Benefit.

• Care leavers aged 16 or 17 get social services support for housing and money
• If you’re between 18 and 21 and have spent even one night in care between 16 and 17, you're considered a priority need case until you turn 21
• Care leavers are supported with housing advice until they’re 25
• If you’re in full-time education your local authority must support you with a place to live in the holidays too

Ongoing Job Support

Care leavers can access a personal advisor and pathway plan up to 25 if they need it. The table below shows the specific help available.

Housing and Accommodation

Local authorities must provide care leavers with housing advice and guidance until they’re 25. Care leavers can stay with foster families through Staying put after the age of 18. Homeless care leavers have priority for emergency council housing.

Care leavers under 25 get the one-bedroom Local Housing Allowance rate for private rentals if you were in care at 16 or 17

Your “local offer” for your first home

Your “local offer’ can help you set up your first home. Local authorities give care leavers aged 18 to 25 a grant to help you buy essentials. It’s called the Setting Up Home Allowance (SUHA) and it’s a one-off payment.

The recommended amount is now £3,000. It varies. Your personal adviser can help you find out what your council gives.

Your council might also offer:

• A winter heating allowance
• Full removal expenses
• Clothing allowance
• TV licence paid for the first year

What housing help is available leaving foster care?

There’s a Guarantor Scheme to help young people leaving foster care rent a home.

Here's how it works:

• Your local authority acts as your guarantor
• This helps you rent from private landlords
• Some areas might have their own version but under a different name
• The schemes try to support you as much as they can – and some have been put together by former care leavers themselves.
• Ask your personal adviser if your council offers this

Care leavers with families

Care leavers who are parents may get Universal Credit. This might include cash help for childcare costs. You should also get Child Benefit. This is a regular, tax-free payment to help with raising your child.

Some authorities may also make discretionary payments to help. This is worked out through your pathway plan. This details all the support and services you get, including provision for parents.

When you leave care you get a Leaving Care Allowance. This allowance varies but it also includes help for your family. So always ask for the full picture from your personal adviser.

Care leavers who are carers

Care leavers who are carers may be entitled to:

• Universal Credit
• Carer’s Allowance
• Carer’s Credits
• Other local authority support

Your council has to help you. Your caring responsibilities will be detailed in your ‘local offer’.

Education and training support

Care leavers aged 16-19 in full-time education can get a £1,200 bursary. Generally the bursary is for training programmes that last 30 weeks or more. If the training is less than 30 hours you might still get this cash but on a pro-rata rate. There can be discretion built into these arrangements – so always apply for it.

Some students get more than £1,200 – but how much you get will depend on your circumstances. That extra help might include books, transport costs and equipment. The council should help with your education, employment and training costs.

University students may get a £2,000 higher education bursary. Many universities offer more support on top. Don’t forget to tick the ‘care leaver’ box on your UCAS form to access benefits.

Your information as a care leaver should always be confidential.

Specific grants for care leavers

There are several grants on offer for care leavers.

The care leavers Foundation

• Up to £400 for care leavers aged 18-29
• Covers household items, living expenses, education, medical needs and job-related costs

The Capstone care leavers Trust

• £300 to £2,000 for care leavers aged 17-25
• Supports education, driving lessons, and household items

Spark Foundation

• Up to £600 for care leavers up to age 25
• Helps with housing, education, work, and personal development

Prince’s Trust

• For young people aged 17-25 working or studying part-time
• Helps with entering work, education, or training

UnLtd

• For young people wanting to be social entrepreneurs
• 50% of awards go to Black, Asian and minority ethnic social entrepreneurs

Knapman Fund

• It’s open to any care leaver aged 16-25
• Up to £500 to support your independence or study and training

Apprenticeships.gov.uk

• £3,000 bursary for first year of an apprenticeship
• Your training provider can help you with the application

How to apply for benefits

Here are some ideas to help apply for benefits.

Remember that your local council must provide support, including a personal adviser, until you're 25 years old. Your personal adviser can help you apply for benefits. They will support you to become more independent.

Navigating challenges in the application process

Claiming benefits can be difficult. Here are four tips:

1. First, talk to your social worker or personal adviser for help
2. Councils often have a specialist who works with the Jobcentre to help care leavers get all the benefits they’re entitled to
3. Care leavers may not trust DWP staff if they look, or sound, like authority figures. Barnardo’s and the care leavers’ Association can help
4. Take advantage of pre-claim support. The DWP helps care leavers claim for Universal Credit up to 28 days before their 18^th birthday. Your personal adviser can help you more here

Good advice from social workers and advisers is crucial. Don’t ignore them.

Legal rights and advice

As a care leaver you have rights built up over many years. This means others have duties to support you.

• Care can last until you are 21 years old if you’ve lived in foster care
• Support can last until 25 if you’ve lived in foster care, children's homes or other places
• The law says every council must publish a list of all the advice, support and guidance for care leavers. This is called a Local Offer for care leavers. It includes career advice, help with essential costs, travel support, parenting help and more

You have care leavers’ rights and support available, even after leaving care. Reach out to your council or personal adviser and learn more.

Frequently asked questions: care leaver benefits

Can care leavers claim benefits immediately after leaving care?

It depends on your age:

16- to 17-year-old care leavers

• Care leavers labelled as relevant children have special benefit rules
• They can't usually get benefits such Universal Credit or Jobseeker's Allowance.
• Local councils must give financial support and help with basic needs until they turn 18

18-plus care leavers

• When a care leaver turns 18 they become former relevant children
• They can claim benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance, or Universal Credit
• Council support – the local council must continue providing support, a personal adviser and a pathway plan until you are 25

How can a care leaver appeal a decision regarding benefits?

You can appeal in several ways. But you must act quickly and give evidence.

1. Ask the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to review your original benefit decision – this is called a ‘mandatory decision’
2. If you’re still unhappy you can appeal to Tribunal
3. If the mandatory reconsideration upholds the decision, you can appeal to the Independent Social Security and Child Support Tribunal, which is separate from the government
4. Appeals must be submitted inside a month of the reconsideration decision
5. Complain to your Local Authority – but do get advice and support from a support worker

Summary: navigating the UK benefits system as a care leaver

Navigating the UK benefits system as a care leaver is hard. But there’s plenty of support out there. From housing to money and your on-going transition, always remember to reach out.

Local authorities must give financial support to care leavers. Personal advisers are paid to help you handle the benefits system – from applications, eligibility and maximising all your support. So always make the most of their help.