Money and Finances - Former Relevant Care Leavers 21-24

By your twenties, you will usually be managing your own finances, benefits and living costs. This may include paying rent, council tax, utility bills, travel costs and other household expenses.

You can continue to request support from the Care Leavers Service up to your 25th birthday. If you need help, we can provide advice, guidance and support to help you:

Understand your financial options
Manage your budget
Access benefits and grants
Deal with debt or money worries
Access employment, education and training opportunities

Most routine financial support ends at 21, although additional support may be considered in some circumstances. The Independent Living Fund is a minimum of £3000 and is usually only available for Former Relevant Care Leavers up until the age of 21 however in some circumstances, we will consider extending this above 21. Please speak to your PA about this.

By your twenties, you will usually be managing your own finances, benefits and living costs. This may include paying rent, council tax, utility bills, travel costs and other household expenses.

You can continue to request support from the Care Leavers Service up to your 25th birthday. If you need help, we can provide advice, guidance and support to help you:

Understand your financial options
Manage your budget
Access benefits and grants
Deal with debt or money worries
Access employment, education and training opportunities

Most routine financial support ends at 21, although additional support may be considered in some circumstances. The Independent Living Fund is a minimum of £3000 and is usually only available for Former Relevant Care Leavers up until the age of 21 however in some circumstances, we will consider extending this above 21. Please speak to your PA about this.

What is a Children in Care Junior ISA?

A Junior ISA is a long-term savings account that has been created to help some children and young people in care build savings for their future.

The Government introduced the scheme to ensure that eligible looked after children have a financial asset available to them when they reach adulthood. An initial payment is made by the Government into the account, and the money remains invested until the young person turns 18.

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible for a Children in Care Junior ISA if:

You have been in care continuously for 12 months or more.
You are under the age of 18.
You do not already have a Child Trust Fund account.

Eligibility is assessed in accordance with the national scheme rules.

How Are Savings Managed?

The Junior ISA is held in the young person's name and is managed by an approved Junior ISA provider.

The money belongs to the young person and remains protected within the account until they reach adulthood. Family members, carers and other people may also be able to make additional contributions to the account, subject to the rules that apply to Junior ISAs.

How Can I Access My Money?

The money in a Junior ISA cannot normally be withdrawn before the account holder reaches the age of 18.

When you turn 18:

The Junior ISA will become an adult ISA.
You will be able to contact the account provider directly.
You can choose whether to keep the money invested or withdraw some or all of the funds, depending on the provider's arrangements.

It is a good idea to think carefully about how you want to use your savings. Many young people choose to put the money towards education, training, housing costs, furnishing their home, driving lessons, or other important goals.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Junior ISA?

If you think you may have a Children in Care Junior ISA, speak to:

Your Personal Adviser (PA).
Your social worker (if you still have one).
The Leaving Care Team.

They can help you identify whether an account exists and provide information about the next steps for accessing your savings.

Can't find your Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund?

The Share Foundation can help care leavers locate their account provider and access the money that has been saved for them. Find out more

Need More Information?

You can ask your Personal Adviser or Leaving Care Team for advice, or read the Government guidance on Junior ISAs for looked after children.

What is a Children in Care Junior ISA?

A Junior ISA is a long-term savings account that has been created to help some children and young people in care build savings for their future.

The Government introduced the scheme to ensure that eligible looked after children have a financial asset available to them when they reach adulthood. An initial payment is made by the Government into the account, and the money remains invested until the young person turns 18.

Who is Eligible?

You may be eligible for a Children in Care Junior ISA if:

You have been in care continuously for 12 months or more.
You are under the age of 18.
You do not already have a Child Trust Fund account.

Eligibility is assessed in accordance with the national scheme rules.

How Are Savings Managed?

The Junior ISA is held in the young person's name and is managed by an approved Junior ISA provider.

The money belongs to the young person and remains protected within the account until they reach adulthood. Family members, carers and other people may also be able to make additional contributions to the account, subject to the rules that apply to Junior ISAs.

How Can I Access My Money?

The money in a Junior ISA cannot normally be withdrawn before the account holder reaches the age of 18.

When you turn 18:

The Junior ISA will become an adult ISA.
You will be able to contact the account provider directly.
You can choose whether to keep the money invested or withdraw some or all of the funds, depending on the provider's arrangements.

It is a good idea to think carefully about how you want to use your savings. Many young people choose to put the money towards education, training, housing costs, furnishing their home, driving lessons, or other important goals.

How Do I Find Out If I Have a Junior ISA?

If you think you may have a Children in Care Junior ISA, speak to:

Your Personal Adviser (PA).
Your social worker (if you still have one).
The Leaving Care Team.

They can help you identify whether an account exists and provide information about the next steps for accessing your savings.

Can't find your Junior ISA or Child Trust Fund?

The Share Foundation can help care leavers locate their account provider and access the money that has been saved for them. Find out more

Need More Information?

You can ask your Personal Adviser or Leaving Care Team for advice, or read the Government guidance on Junior ISAs for looked after children.

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.

Worrying About Money? – Independent Network

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.

Worrying About Money? – Independent Network

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.

Our practical guide to managing money for young people

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.

Our practical guide to managing money for young people

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to financial support through Universal Credit. Universal Credit is a government benefit that can help if you are looking for work, on a low income, unable to work, or need support with living costs.

More information about Universal Credit

Universal Credit – What You'll Get

Depending on your circumstances, you may be entitled to financial support through Universal Credit. Universal Credit is a government benefit that can help if you are looking for work, on a low income, unable to work, or need support with living costs.

More information about Universal Credit

Universal Credit – What You'll Get

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 stay in supported lodgings or remain with your former foster carer, you will not be required to pay council tax.

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 stay in supported lodgings or remain with your former foster carer, you will not be required to pay council tax.

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:

How easy or difficult it is for you to do everyday tasks.
Whether you need support, supervision or reminders.
Whether you have difficulties getting around safely or independently.

You may be able to claim PIP if:

You are aged 16 or over.
You have a long-term physical health condition, disability or mental health condition.
Your condition makes everyday activities or getting around more difficult.

More information and how to claim

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:

How easy or difficult it is for you to do everyday tasks.
Whether you need support, supervision or reminders.
Whether you have difficulties getting around safely or independently.

You may be able to claim PIP if:

You are aged 16 or over.
You have a long-term physical health condition, disability or mental health condition.
Your condition makes everyday activities or getting around more difficult.

More information and how to claim

MoneyHelper

Free government-backed money guidance, budgeting tools, debt advice and benefits information.

Visit MoneyHelper

Citizens Advice

Free and confidential advice about money, debt, housing, benefits and employment.

Visit Citizens Advice

StepChange Debt Charity

Free debt advice and support if you're struggling with repayments.

Visit StepChange

Turn2Us

Help finding benefits, grants and other financial support.

Visit Turn2Us

National Debtline

Free and independent debt advice.

Visit National Debtline

Benefits Calculator

Check what benefits and financial support you could receive.

Use a Benefits Calculator

MoneyHelper

Free government-backed money guidance, budgeting tools, debt advice and benefits information.

Visit MoneyHelper

Citizens Advice

Free and confidential advice about money, debt, housing, benefits and employment.

Visit Citizens Advice

StepChange Debt Charity

Free debt advice and support if you're struggling with repayments.

Visit StepChange

Turn2Us

Help finding benefits, grants and other financial support.

Visit Turn2Us

National Debtline

Free and independent debt advice.

Visit National Debtline

Benefits Calculator

Check what benefits and financial support you could receive.

Use a Benefits Calculator

If you're facing financial difficulties or have an unexpected expense, you may be able to get help through Hampshire County Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund.

The fund can provide support with essential costs such as:

Food
Energy bills
Essential household items

You may also be able to access budgeting advice, debt support and help to maximise your income. Applications are assessed individually based on your circumstances.

If you're struggling to afford essentials or have had a sudden change in circumstances, speak to your Personal Adviser or contact Citizens Advice to find out whether you may be eligible.

Find out more about the Crisis and Resilience Fund on Hampshire County Council's website.

If you're facing financial difficulties or have an unexpected expense, you may be able to get help through Hampshire County Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund.

The fund can provide support with essential costs such as:

Food
Energy bills
Essential household items

You may also be able to access budgeting advice, debt support and help to maximise your income. Applications are assessed individually based on your circumstances.

If you're struggling to afford essentials or have had a sudden change in circumstances, speak to your Personal Adviser or contact Citizens Advice to find out whether you may be eligible.

Find out more about the Crisis and Resilience Fund on Hampshire County Council's website.

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.

Struggling to pay your bills? Citizens Advice can help.

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.

Struggling to pay your bills? Citizens Advice can help.

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:

Education and training costs
Equipment or resources needed for learning or employment
Personal development opportunities
Other expenses that help improve independence, wellbeing, or future opportunities

HIWCF regularly updates its grants programme, so available funding and eligibility criteria may change.

Current Opportunities

HIWCF currently offers:

Education Grants for Care Leavers aged 18-25, with grants of up to £500 for eligible care leavers living in Hampshire (excluding Portsmouth and Southampton).

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:

HIWCF Grants for Individuals

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.