Care Leavers - Benefits
The Children Leaving Care Act aims to make things easier for young people when they leave care. This has meant changes to the support you are offered - including money and benefits.
What are the important changes?
Young people who leave care after October 2001 and are aged 16/17 are no longer entitled to claim
- Job Seekers Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- or Income Support
Instead you will receive money and other types of support direct from the Local Authority. Your Pathway Plan will set out exactly how we are going to support you and for how long.
Who is affected?
If you are 18 or over, or left care before 1 October 2001, you are not affected by the new rules. You can continue to claim Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit (if you are entitled to it).
For further information, visit the Benefits Agency, the post office, Citizens' Advice Bureau, Job Centres or visit the Department of Work and Pensions.
You can apply for Income Support online on the Jobcentre Plus website.
Work & Benefits
Finally, it is worth noting that if you claim Income Support or JSA there are restrictions on the number of hours that you can work in paid employment.
These restrictions do not apply to voluntary work, as long as you only receive expenses. However, you do need to tell your Social Security Office about any voluntary work you are doing.
Contact Details
For more information please contact 16+ team
Telephone: 0808 16 02 211 - for young people only.
Telephone: 0121 788 4200 - for all other people.
Emergency Duty Team: 0121 605 6060
Email: 16plus@solihull.gov.uk
The nearest Benefits Agency (Office of the DWP) is:
St Margrets Rd
Washwood Heath
Birmingham
B8 2DJ
Telephone: 0121 253 5500