Learning how to manage your money is an important part of becoming more independent. Whether you're paying for everyday essentials, saving for something important, or planning for the future, having the right information and support can help you feel more confident.
This section explains the financial help and advice that may be available to you, including information about benefits, budgeting, and managing your money.
Need Help?
You do not have to work through this on your own.
If you have a Personal Adviser (PA), share this information with them. They can help you understand your options, access support, complete applications and contact services on your behalf.
If you do not currently have a PA but think you would benefit from support, contact Hampshire Children's Services to discuss what help may be available to you.
Qualifying care leavers do not usually receive the same financial support as Relevant and Former Relevant care leavers. However, support may be available in exceptional circumstances where there is an identified need.
In Hampshire, Qualifying Care Leavers can work with a Personal Adviser if they would like support, although this is not a legal entitlement.
If you are struggling financially, speak our team and ask for a Personal Adviser to help you navigate your situation.
Qualifying care leavers do not usually receive the same financial support as Relevant and Former Relevant care leavers. However, support may be available in exceptional circumstances where there is an identified need.
In Hampshire, Qualifying Care Leavers can work with a Personal Adviser if they would like support, although this is not a legal entitlement.
If you are struggling financially, speak our team and ask for a Personal Adviser to help you navigate your situation.
If you are a qualifying care leaver living independently or without support from your parents, you may be able to claim benefits to help with your living costs.
Your Personal Adviser can help you understand what benefits you may be entitled to and support you with making a claim.
If you are a qualifying care leaver living independently or without support from your parents, you may be able to claim benefits to help with your living costs.
Your Personal Adviser can help you understand what benefits you may be entitled to and support you with making a claim.
If you are struggling with money, worried about paying bills, finding it difficult to afford food or heating, or dealing with debt, support is available.
The Worrying About Money? tool can help you find free advice and support based on your situation. Whether you have suddenly lost income, are waiting for a benefit decision, are struggling with rising living costs, or need help managing debt, the tool will guide you to organisations that may be able to help. It can also signpost you to support with benefits, emergency assistance, housing costs, energy bills and other financial concerns.
You do not have to wait until things become a crisis before asking for help. Getting advice early can help you understand your options and access support before money worries become more difficult to manage.
If you are struggling with money, worried about paying bills, finding it difficult to afford food or heating, or dealing with debt, support is available.
The Worrying About Money? tool can help you find free advice and support based on your situation. Whether you have suddenly lost income, are waiting for a benefit decision, are struggling with rising living costs, or need help managing debt, the tool will guide you to organisations that may be able to help. It can also signpost you to support with benefits, emergency assistance, housing costs, energy bills and other financial concerns.
You do not have to wait until things become a crisis before asking for help. Getting advice early can help you understand your options and access support before money worries become more difficult to manage.
If you live in privately rented accommodation when you are aged 18, you may be required to pay council tax. Speak to the district or borough council that you live in to see what discounts you can get. Some local councils give a 100% discount to care leavers up until they are 25 years old. You may also be entitled to some exemptions if you are in education for 21 hours or more a week or if you are unemployed.
If you live in privately rented accommodation when you are aged 18, you may be required to pay council tax. Speak to the district or borough council that you live in to see what discounts you can get. Some local councils give a 100% discount to care leavers up until they are 25 years old. You may also be entitled to some exemptions if you are in education for 21 hours or more a week or if you are unemployed.
Knowing what you’re entitled to is important – but so is learning how to budget. This helps you avoid debt and feel more in control. Your carer, support worker, social worker, and personal advisor can all help you with this.
A good tip: write down what money you have coming in (like bursary, wages, allowance) and what you need to pay for each week. Once you see it clearly, you can plan your spending.
Knowing what you’re entitled to is important – but so is learning how to budget. This helps you avoid debt and feel more in control. Your carer, support worker, social worker, and personal advisor can all help you with this.
A good tip: write down what money you have coming in (like bursary, wages, allowance) and what you need to pay for each week. Once you see it clearly, you can plan your spending.
If you're struggling to afford food, toiletries, heating, or other essentials, help is available. Everyone faces challenges from time to time, and it's okay to ask for support when you need it.
The organisations listed below may be able to help with emergency food, household essentials, practical support and advice. If you're finding things difficult, contact your Personal Adviser as well. They can help you access the right support and discuss any financial assistance that may be available to you.
If you can't afford to buy enough food, you may be able to get some short-term help from your local food bank. You will need a voucher to use a food bank. To find out where you can get a voucher, contact your local food bank or phone the Citizens Advice national phone service on 0800 144 8848.
Community pantries provide groceries at a lower rate than shops and supermarkets. Access to the Community pantry is through membership. Members make a small weekly contribution and receive food with a higher value than the same items would cost elsewhere.
Find your local food bank or community pantry.
For help with energy bills contact Citizens Advice
If you're struggling to afford food, toiletries, heating, or other essentials, help is available. Everyone faces challenges from time to time, and it's okay to ask for support when you need it.
The organisations listed below may be able to help with emergency food, household essentials, practical support and advice. If you're finding things difficult, contact your Personal Adviser as well. They can help you access the right support and discuss any financial assistance that may be available to you.
If you can't afford to buy enough food, you may be able to get some short-term help from your local food bank. You will need a voucher to use a food bank. To find out where you can get a voucher, contact your local food bank or phone the Citizens Advice national phone service on 0800 144 8848.
Community pantries provide groceries at a lower rate than shops and supermarkets. Access to the Community pantry is through membership. Members make a small weekly contribution and receive food with a higher value than the same items would cost elsewhere.
Find your local food bank or community pantry.
For help with energy bills contact Citizens Advice
Healthcare costs can add up, especially if you need regular medication, dental treatment or glasses. Care leavers may be eligible for free prescriptions, dental care and eye care support up to age 25. Check the latest information or speak to your Personal Adviser for advice.
Healthcare costs can add up, especially if you need regular medication, dental treatment or glasses. Care leavers may be eligible for free prescriptions, dental care and eye care support up to age 25. Check the latest information or speak to your Personal Adviser for advice.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that can help with the extra costs of living with a disability, long-term health condition or mental health condition. It is based on how your condition affects your daily life, not your diagnosis. You may be able to get PIP whether you are in education, training, work or not working.
PIP looks at:
You may be able to claim PIP if:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit that can help with the extra costs of living with a disability, long-term health condition or mental health condition. It is based on how your condition affects your daily life, not your diagnosis. You may be able to get PIP whether you are in education, training, work or not working.
PIP looks at:
You may be able to claim PIP if:
MoneyHelper
Free government-backed money guidance, budgeting tools, debt advice and benefits information.
Citizens Advice
Free and confidential advice about money, debt, housing, benefits and employment.
StepChange Debt Charity
Free debt advice and support if you're struggling with repayments.
Turn2Us
Help finding benefits, grants and other financial support.
National Debtline
Free and independent debt advice.
Benefits Calculator
Check what benefits and financial support you could receive.
MoneyHelper
Free government-backed money guidance, budgeting tools, debt advice and benefits information.
Citizens Advice
Free and confidential advice about money, debt, housing, benefits and employment.
StepChange Debt Charity
Free debt advice and support if you're struggling with repayments.
Turn2Us
Help finding benefits, grants and other financial support.
National Debtline
Free and independent debt advice.
Benefits Calculator
Check what benefits and financial support you could receive.
When you move into your own home, you will usually be responsible for paying for things like gas, electricity and water. Make sire you know who your energy suppliers are and whether you have a prepayment meter or credit metre when you move in to a new home.
A meter measures how much gas, electricity or water your household uses. Your supplier uses meter readings to work out how much to charge you. Take a photo of your utility meters when you move in to make sure you only pay for what you have used.
If you are struggling to pay your bills, speak to your Personal Adviser as soon as possible. The earlier you ask for help, the more options there may be to support you.
When you move into your own home, you will usually be responsible for paying for things like gas, electricity and water. Make sire you know who your energy suppliers are and whether you have a prepayment meter or credit metre when you move in to a new home.
A meter measures how much gas, electricity or water your household uses. Your supplier uses meter readings to work out how much to charge you. Take a photo of your utility meters when you move in to make sure you only pay for what you have used.
If you are struggling to pay your bills, speak to your Personal Adviser as soon as possible. The earlier you ask for help, the more options there may be to support you.
Grants and Financial Support
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) provides a range of grants to support individuals across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Some funding opportunities are specifically available to young people who have experienced care.
Depending on the funding programme available at the time, care leavers may be able to apply for support towards:
HIWCF regularly updates its grants programme, so available funding and eligibility criteria may change.
Current Opportunities
HIWCF currently offers:
Other care leaver grants may become available throughout the year, and young people are encouraged to check the website regularly for the latest opportunities.
Find Out More
Visit the HIWCF grants page to view current funding opportunities and eligibility criteria:
Need Help Applying?
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, speak with your Personal Adviser, who can help you explore available funding opportunities and support you with applications where appropriate.
Grants and Financial Support
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) provides a range of grants to support individuals across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Some funding opportunities are specifically available to young people who have experienced care.
Depending on the funding programme available at the time, care leavers may be able to apply for support towards:
HIWCF regularly updates its grants programme, so available funding and eligibility criteria may change.
Current Opportunities
HIWCF currently offers:
Other care leaver grants may become available throughout the year, and young people are encouraged to check the website regularly for the latest opportunities.
Find Out More
Visit the HIWCF grants page to view current funding opportunities and eligibility criteria:
Need Help Applying?
If you are unsure whether you are eligible, speak with your Personal Adviser, who can help you explore available funding opportunities and support you with applications where appropriate.