If you are over 18, living away from your family and are studying full-time in non-advanced education (up to and including A Level or equivalent), you can claim Housing Benefit or Universal Credit. You can enrol in your course of study at any time up to your 21st birthday and can continue to receive these benefits up to the end of your studies or the end of the academic year in which you become 21 years old, whichever is earlier.

This help is also available to you if you have stayed on with your former foster carers. Housing Benefit or Universal Credit can pay for all or part of your rent. If you are likely to have difficulty paying your full rent, you can approach the Council and ask for Discretionary Housing Payments. These are not guaranteed, but the Department for Work and Pensions may be able to help you for a period until you find other accommodation or earn enough to pay your rent yourself.

Council Tax is a payment made to your local authority for local services such as collecting your rubbish, clearing streets, running services (including providing social workers) and the upkeep of local parks.

In October 2018, Bexley Council made a decision to exempt all young adults leaving care from payment of Council Tax up to the age of 25 years. * When you turn 25 you are expected to pay for your council tax. Your Pathway Plan will help you prepare for this big change.

*This means that as a young adult leaving our care, you will not have to pay Council Tax until you turn 25. This decision was made so that you have the best chance of success living independently. We hope that you will consider this as a signal that we want to support you and we want your future to be good!

Everyone who watches TV, even if it is only via a catch-up service or online on your laptop must have and pay for a licence. Payments can be divided up into weekly or monthly payments, and again, your PA will support you to apply. You are at risk of a fine or worse if you do not have a licence.

It is an exciting time being able to choose your own furniture and how your home will look. We will provide you with a grant of £3000 (from April 2023). This will not be given to you in one lump sum and your PA will support you on how to spend this money. This payment is an important mark of your independence, so  we will want you to spend it wisely and on things that will help you to make this important step towards independence.

In addition to any benefit or subsistence payments received, young adults leaving our care can also receive additional funding in the following circumstances:

Housing costs – dependent on financial assessment and agreement by the Director or Deputy Director of Children’s Services.

If you do not qualify for Oyster Card coverage, we will support your travel costs for attending training courses or starting a new job. We will also help you buy essential clothes (such as those for interviews) or kits if needed for your new job. Travel warrants will also be provided to support contact with your family if you or they live outside of Bexley. 

Payment vouchers are available as follows: