Money talks

To access any of these benefits or for help understanding eligibility criteria or making an application, speak with your PA advisor.

Cash in your pocket

• Weekly funds: If public funds are a not available to you, we'll match what you would have got from Universal Credit. 
• Home costs covered: If you can't access public funds, we can help you find somewhere to live.
• Your first pad: Get up to £3,000 setting-up-home allowance, to help make your new place feel like home. 
• Travel on us: If you're living in London, you can enjoy a fully-funded travelcard. 
• Early days support: If you're waiting for benefits, we'll cover you with an amount matching Universal Credit for the first 6 weeks. 
• Education journeys: We're here to support your travel to school or college - whether it's financially, practically or emotionally. We can help with travel training, planning routes or applying for the TFL care leaver travel card. 
• Uni life bursary: Bag a bursary of £2,000 over 3 to 4 years while at university. 
• Summer living: Need accommodation during non-term time whilst studying at university? We can cover up to 13 weeks' rent.
• Get behind the wheel: Get financial support and recommendations for driving lessons up until your 21st birthday. 
• Emergency cash and food vouchers: Get up to £30 a year for emergency needs. 
• Vital documents: Need help with your passport, driving license or birth certificate? We'll help you apply for your first copy of these and we will pay for them too. 
• Naturalisation costs: If you're not a British citizen, we'll cover up to 50% of your naturalisation fees (on a needs assessed basis).
• Interview ready: We'll fund your interview clothes and travel costs.
• More travel support: We can provide financial assistance for travelling to asylum interviews. 
• ID ease: Trouble getting ID? We can sort out a citizen card or a 16+ Oyster card for you. 
• Birthday bonus: Turning 18? There's £100 with your name on it.
• Support for parents: We will match child benefit and universal credit payments for parents who don't have access to public funds. 
• Special circumstances: From childcare costs in unique situations to additional support for those in supported housing, we've can provide a range of extra help. 

Stretching your budget further - extra financial support

Navigating finances can be tricky, but we've got some additional benefits to help you manage, and even boost, your resources. 

• Service charge support: Living with P3 or YMCA? You'll only pay £7 a week for service charges; we cover the rest, so you can focus on your independence and goals without stressing about high living expenses. 
• Tech ready: If you're under 18, a laptop allowance of £420 is available to keep you connected. Whether it's for job applications, studying, or staying in touch, we've got you covered. If you're over 18 and in need of a laptop for work or education opportunities, speak with your personal advisor and they can support you in accessing a needs assessed laptop grant of up to £420.
• Books and stationery: Get up to £150 a year for essential learning tools, ensuring you're always prepared for class or personal projects and you have the materials you need to succeed. 
• Savings and ISAs: It's never too early to think about your financial future. Through sharefoundation.org.uk, we can help you access an ISA and any savings you might have from previous carers or placements, making sure you're set for the future.

Charities and organisations ready to support you

Each of the following organisations offer a unique form of support, tailored to different needs you might have. 

• Care Leavers' Foundation - offer grants up to £400 for things, such as household items, emergency living expenses, education and medical needs. For care leavers aged 18 to 29-year-old. 
• Capstone Care Leavers Trust - offer grants from £300 to £2,000 for education, driving lessons, household items and more. For care leavers aged 17 to 25-years-old.
• Buttle UK - offer up to £2,000 for education, setting up home, and improving wellbeing. For estranged 16 to 20-year-olds (no longer on friendly terms with their family). 
• The Spark Foundation - offer grants up to £600 for setting up home, education and developing skills. For care leavers up to 25-years-old.
• Lawrence Atwell's Charity - offer grants from £100 to £1,500 for training courses, living expenses during courses and related fees. For 16 to 26-year-olds.
• The Prince's Trust - offer grants for getting into work, education or training, plus business startup loans. For 17 to 25-year-olds working fewer than 16 hours, or in education less than 14 hours a week. 
• Turn2Us - offer a grant search tool to help you find financial support relevant to you.

Go to the next section: Where will you live