Managing your money
We know that managing your money can be challenging, so we will help you to:
- access financial advice via Citizens Advice or the Money Advice Centre
- open a bank account
- get identification - provisional driving licence or a passport
- claim benefits
- get your national insurance number if you don’t have or know it
- deal with any emergencies - we are here to help if you get into difficulty
- if you are eligible, we will set up your home grant for purchasing items, such as furniture or decorating
- access grants, discounts and funding that you are eligible for
- manage health costs, such as dental care or glasses. If you are struggling, please speak to your leaving care worker as we can help you.
- you are entitled to free prescriptions up to the age of 25. Visit this site for more details and to apply directly or speak to your leaving care worker who will support you applying and getting access to the scheme.
- access council tax relief, across Lincolnshire care leavers are exempt from paying council tax until the age of 25
- access the free leisure offer from Lincolnshire district councils
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to:
You will have a Child Trust Fund or Junior ISA bank account from when you were in care. It is money paid in by the Government and us.
You can access it when you turn 18 and either:
- leave it where it is
- take it out
- transfer it to another bank account
Your social worker or leaving care worker can tell you more about how to access your account. We promise to help you plan how you can best use this, and the other money in your life.
Universal credit and benefits
Lincolnshire has an agreement in place with the Department for Work and Pensions. We will jointly aim to support you to access the benefits you might need whilst you seek employment or training. We will also aim to make sure no care leavers face sanctions and the DWP will work with us to make sure this doesn't happen. There is a protocol in place, if you want to know more, speak to your leaving care worker.
Rent gap
If you are a young person who has left the care of Lincolnshire County Council and you are struggling to cover the gap between your income and the cost of supported living, speak to your leaving care worker as help is available. Your leaving care worker can help you by applying for a period of discretionary additional funding to cover the costs of living in supported housing. This can be in place for a period of time whilst you find your next home. Speak to your leaving care worker for more information about rent gap.
Acting as a guarantor
Your district council may be able to act as a guarantor, speak to your leaving care worker about this and we will explore it with you.
Supporting at college or other education programmes
We will help you receive the financial support you are entitled to at school or college. Depending on your age, type of course and other circumstances, we will help with:
- registration and exam fees
- textbooks and software specified as essential
- activities essential to meet course requirements
- public transport between home and place of learning
- transport to open days and interviews
- specific clothing, such as for interview or course equipment
If you are 18 or 19 and in full-time education, you may be entitled to the 16 to 19 bursary fund. Care leavers are a priority group for this funding.
If you are 20 or over, we can help you to explore other funding options available to you.
Supporting you at university
Your leaving care worker will help you to apply for and prepare to go to university. We will continue to support you throughout your course if you wish.
We will work with you to ensure you have accommodation, transport, equipment, and the right financial support. We can also help you to apply for extra care leaver grants or bursaries that may be available to you at your university.
Supporting you whilst finding a job
Whilst we support you to find employment and we work closely with our partners at the DWP, If you are actively looking for work, you can also get free broadband and unlimited data. This will help you access the internet and support you to apply for the jobs you want.
Further help
Up to the age of 21, we will always buy you a gift for your birthday, and we will always buy you another gift for your main religious festival.
Young parents may be entitled to additional help with childcare costs, and extra financial support if you have a baby, so please do speak to your leaving care worker
See our leaving care and looked after children finance handbook for more in depth details