We’ll provide you with financial support to help you manage your own finances.
We understand that everyone has their own individual and exceptional circumstances. We will always consider financial support for you at challenging times.
If you’re still in care, the allowances you are entitled to may be different.
16-17 year olds
Subsistence allowance and savings
We will support you with accommodation and living costs.
Education and training
You could get a bursary from your college to help with education-related costs if you’re aged 16 to 19 and:
Studying at a publicly funded school or college in England – not a university
On a training course, including unpaid work experience
You could get a bursary from your college worth up to £1,200, depending on your circumstances and benefits. Our Education Champions can help navigate the bursary offer for you and will be there to support you through your continuing education.
Birthday
If you are in a foster placement or children’s home, your birthday money or gift is given to you by the carer or the children’s home. If you are in a semi-independent provision, you would be eligible to receive £50 on your 16th and 17th birthday.
Clothing
Your foster carer or the children’s home should provide you with a clothing allowance.
You would receive an allowance of a total of £150 per year for clothing allowance, if you are living in a semi-independent provision. These payments will be split and paid to you in summer and winter.
Festival
If you are living in semi-independent provision from the age of 16, we will provide you with an allowance of £50 per year to celebrate a cultural festival of your choice.
18-25 year olds
Subsistence allowance and savings
When you turn 18, and if you not earning a certain amount of money; you may be entitled to universal credit. Your YPA will assist you in making an application for benefits 4 weeks before your 18th birthday if your live in Slough. If you live outside of Slough, an application for benefits can only be made on your 18th birthday.
If you have been in care for over a year, you will have a savings account and you would be able to access it once you turn 18. You can obtain further information about the savings scheme on The Share Foundation website: https://www.sharefound.org
Council tax discount
Slough Borough Council has offered full council tax discount to its care experienced young people aged 18 to 25 where they are the named tenant for a property.
Universal Credit
The amount of Universal Credit you can claim will depend on your circumstances and it can be complicated. There are two sections to Universal Credit: Section 1 – personal allowance, this is something you may be entitled to if you are not in employment or are in college. Section 2 – housing element, if you are living independently then you may be entitled to apply for the financial support to help pay your rent. You can apply for this if you are not in employment, you are in college, you have low income employment or you are in supported living accommodation.
Please refer to the Local Offer Guide for more information.
Maternity grant
If you are expecting your first baby or having a multiple birth, and you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you can apply to the Job Centre for a Maternity Grant worth £500. This would be available for up to 11 weeks before your baby is due until three months after the birth.
Setting up home allowance or leaving care grant
From 1 April 2023, for all young people leaving care who turn 18; we will provide you with up to £3000 when you have secured accommodation to live independently. This money is to buy essential items for your new home.
If your plans include moving into independent accommodation outside of Slough, the Council’s Housing department can help with organising a move into private sector accommodation, subject to an incentive payment by us.
Birthday
You will receive a birthday allowance of £100 on your 18th and 21st birthday. You will receive a birthday allowance of £50 on your 19th and 20th birthday.
Clothing
You would receive an allowance of a total of £150 per year for clothing allowance if you are between the age of 18 and 21, and in receipt of benefits or on low income.
These payments will be split and paid to you in summer and winter. To receive the clothing allowance, you will need to be claiming all eligible benefits and engaging with the service.
If you are aged 21-25 years, the clothing allowance will only be paid in exceptional circumstances, at times of extreme hardship.
Festival
If you are living in semi-independent provision, we will provide you with an allowance of £50 per year to celebrate a cultural festival of your choice. This also applies to those who are in EET (Education, employment and training) or NEET Not in Education Employment or Training).
WiFi
If you are in receipt of Universal Credit, you can ask a broadband provider for a social tariff. You can obtain further information about social tariffs here: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/costs-and-billing
If you are in education and training, we will assist you with the cost of WiFi up to £20 per month.