Support with accommodation and housing

Council Tax

All care experienced young people who are the responsibility of Cumberland Council (former relevant care leavers) and living in Cumberland will receive a 100% discount on their Council Tax bill between the ages of 18 to 25 years old.

The discount will be applied after any other discounts such as:

• sole occupier discount
• Council Tax reduction

If you are living with someone else (shared liability) and you both need to pay, the discount will cover the share that the care experienced young person is responsible for.

If you are a Cumberland care experienced young person living outside of Cumberland, your Council Tax liability (after helping to apply for any Council Tax support) will be paid for you until your 25th birthday. Your personal adviser will support you with this.

Setting up home allowance

We will provide practical and financial support with moving into and furnishing your new home.

The setting up home allowance of up to £3,499.50 (2024-2025) in total, can be used to furnish and set up your first property, up to the age of 25.

It includes:

• content insurance for first year of independent living
• your first TV licence
• support with fitting your cooker
• support with removal costs

Winter heating allowance

In the first year of living independent, we will provide a winter heating allowance of £30.00 per month for 6 months. This will be available from 1 October to 31 March.

Higher education accommodation (holiday periods)

We will help find accommodation during the holiday periods for care experienced young people who are in higher education.

Housing crisis

We will support you if you have a housing crisis, including help if you are threatened with losing or do lose a tenancy.