Money

This page will provide you with information on what financial assistance is available to you. The amount of money you get depends on your age and where you live. Being able to manage your money is important when moving to independence. If you don’t know how to budget and spend your money wisely, then you may struggle when you live on your own.

You have told us that you don’t always feel prepared for leaving care. We want to change that so have developed a training package called the ‘independence programme’. It’s a series of modules to help you prepare for independence. Your carer’s or placement staff will help you to complete the modules so that you are more prepared to leave care.

Its super important that you complete Stoke’s independence Programme prior to leaving. You have told us that you don’t always feel prepared for leaving care. We want to change that so have developed a training package called the ‘independence programme’. It’s a series of modules to help you prepare for independence. Your carer’s or placement staff will help you to complete the modules so that you are more prepared to leave care.

To help you prepare for independent living and budgeting we have a training flat that you can stay for up to 3 weeks. This will give you the chance to find out what it is really like living on your own. During this time you will be able to practice budgeting, cleaning and maintain your daily routine without someone living with you. Don’t worry you will still receive a lot of support which will be agreed before you go into the training flat, as part of your training flat support.

We will help you to apply for welfare benefits that you are entitled to. This is constantly changing and so the best place to look for the latest information is www.gov.uk. We will need your help to help us to support you to make your claim for benefits. But want we really want is for you to remain in education , training or employment.

You really need to attend all your appointments at the Jobcentre and engage with your Work Coach. If you don’t, it is likely to lead to problems with your claim and benefits not being paid. If this happens, we will support you to do what you need to get your benefits and consider practical assistance.

Claims for Universal Credit can be started one month before your 18th birthday. Universal credit is a single monthly payment for those in or out of work. There are two parts to it – a payment to you for your living expenses and a payment to help you pay your rent. The rent part must be paid to your landlord.

If you are entitled to additional benefits because you have a disability, your DWP coach can be helpful and advice about claiming disability benefits.

If you are unable to claim benefits (not legally entitled to claim benefits) then we will offer you a weekly living allowance. This payment will be the equivalent to state benefits. You will be expected to use this for your living costs in the same way you would your benefits. Ideally, these payments will be made directly into your bank account.