Financial Entitlements

If you are aged 16 or 17 (ELIGIBLE Care Leaver) and being looked after then you will need to discuss what money you get with your Foster Carer, Residential Workers, Social Worker, and PA.

If you are a Care Leaver aged 16 or 17 and no longer looked after (RELEVANT) we will pay you a weekly allowance equivalent to the national benefit rate, currently £71.93, as you won’t be able to claim benefits until your 18th birthday. We will also provide you with £60 every three months towards clothing.

If you are a RELEVANT Care Leaver also you rent will be paid inline with current housing benefit rates up until your 18th birthday. 
These amounts are correct from the 1st of April 2024 and are updated every year.

Birthdays

When you are 19 & 20 all Care Leavers will receive £50. When you are 18 & 21 we recognize these as special birthdays and you will receive £100.

Christmas and other Religious Festivals

All Care Leavers receive £20 at Christmas or at another time relating to a significant religious festival that you identify as following.

If you are a Care Leaver you can access different types of financial support, but this does depend on your Care Leaver Status i your age, where you are living, your benefit entitlements and your individual circumstance. Your PA will help you to understand what types of financial support you may be entitled to and how much you are able to get.

If you are aged 16 or 17 (ELIGIBLE Care Leaver) and being looked after then you will need to discuss what money you get with your Foster Carer, Residential Workers, Social Worker, and PA.

If you are a Care Leaver aged 16 or 17 and no longer looked after (RELEVANT) we will pay you a weekly allowance equivalent to the national benefit rate, currently £71.93, as you won’t be able to claim benefits until your 18th birthday. We will also provide you with £60 every three months towards clothing.

If you are a RELEVANT Care Leaver also you rent will be paid inline with current housing benefit rates up until your 18th birthday. These amounts are correct from the 1st of April 2024 and are updated every year.

Driving Lessons

Wirral Care Leavers can access the cost of one provisional driving licence, one theory test, one practical test and driving lessons up to £475.00. To qualify for this incentive Care Leavers must be positively engaged with their work and in a settled pattern of employment, education or training.

Some behaviour, medical conditions, non-compliance with prescribed medication or alcohol or substance abuse will temporarily exclude Care Leavers from accessing driving lessons until the issue is resolved.

First Home Grant

Wirral provides a First Home Grant of £3,000 from 1st of April 2023. This will assist you to purchase essential items necessary to set up your new home. 

Your First Home Grant is held with the Leaving Care Team and your PA will be able to purchase items with you from the following list:

• TV
• Kettle
• Table & Chairs
• TV Stand
• Pots & Pans
• Cups
• Washing Machine
• Sofa Bed
• Cooker
• Curtains
• Carpets
• Kitchen Utensils
• Fridge Freezer
• Bedding
• Wardrobe
• Aerial
• Chest of Drawers
• Quilt
• Dishes
• Bath towels
• Pillows
• Chopping boards
• Microwave
• Bedside table
• Curtain rails
• Laundry basket
• Bath mat
• Shower curtain
• Iron
• Ironing board
• bin

Individual Savings Accounts

If you are a Care Leaver; depending on your age; the Government may have set up an Individual Savings Account. Ask your personal Advisor for support in accessing this if you have an account.

Council Tax

If you are a Wirral Care Leaver and living in Wirral, you do not have to pay Wirral Council Tax if you are under 25.

Custody

Individuals who are in custody will be paid £5 per week up until the age of 18.

Maternity Grant

If you are a parent (female or male), you can claim a Maternity Grant of up to £150 from 3 months before the birth to 3 months after the birth. This money must be spent directly on things for the baby, agreed with your PA. 

Higher Education

Wirral Council offers a Higher Education Bursary. You will receive £2000 that will be spread over the duration of your course in an agreed way. 
Up to £500 is available for a new laptop at the start of your degree course. 
We will pay for your travel to and from university at the start and end of each term. 
We will help you with the cost of accommodation during holidays, up to £60per week. If you return to your former carers.
We will pay a personal allowance during holiday periods if you have no other income inline with current national benefit rates. 

Graduation

When you graduate, we will be delighted to recognise your achievement with a graduation gift of £100. 

Wi–Fi Support

There are 10 Laptops available for your use with free wi-fi access at the digital suite in “0our Space”.
You can also access free data SIM cards – if required please discuss with your personal advisor.

Financial assistance in a crisis

We do understand that times can be financially difficult, and you may need some further financial support. We can offer you:

• An onsite supermarket, Our Shop. 
• Fuel support twice a year March and October from the Household Fund.
• In exceptional circumstances your PA or Duty PA may request a small sum of financial assistance to be considered by the Leaving Care Service Team Manager.

Your PA will want to help you address any issues that have led to your financial hardship to avoid it happening again.

The following table gives a full breakdown of the financial support available. 
 Education, training and employment

Financial information: table of allowances 2024

Education, training and employment

Full-time further education 19+

Other allowances