Money
Up to age 18 the local council is responsible for supporting you and giving you enough money to live so you should contact your Personal Adviser in Children’s Services https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
If you can’t get any help from Children’s Services, contact one of the organisations listed under Universal Credit and tell someone that you aren’t being supported by the council
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If you are over 18 and unemployed but looking for a job, you should contact your local Jobcentre Plus and request that you are given Class 1 National Insurance contribution credits. This will build up your entitlement to claim benefits at a later date. https://www.jobcentreguide.co.uk/jobcentre-plus-offices
You might be told you can apply for Universal Credit https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility?step-by-step-nav=7c08bbbf-a1ca-4cf5-850d-d9f2c796c750
This requires quite a lot of information and needs to be done online. You can ask for help from either your Personal Adviser or from one of these organisations:
Become care leavers’ charity, advice line 0800 023 2033 https://www.becomecharity.org.uk/contact
Citizens Advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/
Coram Voice https://coramvoice.org.uk
National Youth Advocacy Service https://www.nyas.net/contact-us/
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If you’re going to college or doing a training course then see what funding you are entitled to https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
You are entitled to subsidised transport if you are in school or college after age 16 https://www.gov.uk/subsidised-college-transport-16-19
The Education Maintenance Allowance has been closed in England but is still available if you are studying in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. https://www.gov.uk/education-maintenance-allowance-ema
This site sets out the benefits available to care leavers in Scotland https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/money_help/leaving_care
In England the Education Maintenance Allowance has been replaced with the 16-19 Bursary. You are entitled to £1,200 every year if you are still at school or college https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund
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Want to go to university?
If you live in Scotland and wish to study at a Scottish university you won’t have to pay any tuition fees. Click here for funding information http://www.saas.gov.uk
If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland you will have to get funding to pay for your university course. You have to apply to Student Finance https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance
Touch here to find out how to deal with the household income questions as an ‘independent student’ (care leaver) https://www.standalone.org.uk/guides/student-guide/#independent-status
You are entitled to £2,000 if you are between 18 and 21 and are doing a course of higher education at a college or university. Contact your Personal Adviser or your support person where you’re studying to help you apply for this
Additional money you may be entitled to if you are going to go to university https://www.gov.uk/extra-money-pay-university/university-and-college-hardship-funds
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Apprenticeship Bursaries If you would prefer to start work rather than stay in education, starting an apprenticeship will make you eligible for up to £3000 https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/support-care-experienced-apprentices
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You will need a bank account to get your wages, benefits or bursaries paid into https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/basic_bank_accounts_with_no_credit_check
Once you’ve opened a bank account you can do basic banking like paying bills and getting cash from a post office. You can find your local post office here: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder
You might prefer to do your banking online; this is a basic bank account with the Co-Op. Once you’ve opened an account it is very easy to switch if you find one you prefer
https://www.co-operativebank.co.uk/products/bank-accounts/basic-bank-account/
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If you are getting into debt contact any of these organisations for advice on how to deal with it:
Citizens Advice https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/#txt_getadvice_header-Anchor-search
Step Change https://www.stepchange.org/how-we-help/debt-advice.aspx
National Debtline https://www.nationaldebtline.org
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Charities you can contact to apply for grants to help you:
The Spark Foundation https://sparkfoundation.org.uk/apply/
Rees Foundation (you can also contact them to apply for a crisis payment for immediate help) https://www.reesfoundation.org/crisis-payments.html
The Capstone Care Leavers Trust https://www.capstonecareleaverstrust.org/applications/apply/
The King’s Trust (formerly The Prince’s Trust) //www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/get-funding-train-learn