Waiting period for benefit claims
Your social worker and personal advisor will support you to apply for Universal Credit and benefits and will try to make sure your claim is in place from your 18th birthday.
As it will take some time (around five weeks) before you receive your first Universal Credit payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), we will support you with an allowance equivalent to what you were receiving immediately prior to your 18th birthday for up to five or six weeks (depending on the type of accommodation you are living in - £71.70, £61.70 or £51.70 per week).
If you are a lone parent (aged 16 to 17)
You are eligible to claim Universal Credit, Child Benefit and Healthy Start Vouchers from the birth of the baby. You will then be able to apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500.00 from the day your baby is born. The Sure Start Maternity Grant is only available for your oldest or first child.
Fine out how to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant (GOV.UK)
Due to having an entitlement to Universal Credit, lone parents will cease to get the Care Experienced Maintenance Allowance once Universal Credit is in payment. All other allowances continue.
Council Tax Support and exemption
All care experienced young people aged 18 to 25 living within the Cumberland area will be exempt from paying council tax charges, this will help you to make a successful transition from care to independence.
Where you are solely liable for Council Tax, you will be entitled to a 100% discount after all statutory discounts, exemptions and before council tax supports have been applied. Where you are jointly liable for council tax, a proportionate award will be made i.e.: if you are in a couple (there are two occupiers), a 50% award will be made.
If you are living outside of the Cumberland area, you will be assisted to claim any local council tax exemption or council tax support available. Where there is a liability for council tax remaining, Children’s Services will cover the cost, 100% if you have a sole liability and 50% where you have a joint liability.