Home and accommodation costs (under 18 years old)
We will make sure you have a suitable home or have your accommodation costs covered up to your 18th birthday, at which point you will be able to:
- move into your own council or housing association tenancy
- remain in homestays (supported lodgings)
- remain living with your foster carers under a “Staying Put” arrangement.
Care Experienced Maintenance Allowance
You are eligible for a Care Experienced Maintenance Allowance (CEMA) payment from us up to the age of 18 (and for 5 to 6 weeks after your birthday). Depending on which type of accommodation you live in, you may have a small amount deducted from your allowance (£10 or £20 per week).
The deduction and bills contribution is done to get you used to having to pay for services, utilities, and food when you reach age 18. Services, utilities and in some cases food, will be provided with your accommodation. If you are not sure what rate you should get, talk to your social worker or pathway advisor or accommodation support worker.
Housing support (over 18 years old)
From the age of 18 you will need to pay a nominal rent contribution towards your accommodation, and you will be eligible to claim Universal Credit (housing element) to help with your rent costs. If it is assessed as appropriate for you to move to private rented accommodation, we can act as a financial trustee or guarantor for you up to your 18th birthday and may provide a deposit and rent in advance if required.
Staying put accommodation
If it has been agreed under the Staying Put policy that you can stay in your foster care placement after the age of 18, we will help cover most of the costs of the arrangement. In order to ‘Stay Put’ with your foster carer, you will be expected to cover the rent costs; this could be from your earnings and/or the housing element of Universal Credit.
Rent and Deposit Allowance
When you reach age 18 and or leave care, we will help you find accommodation, in most cases this will be provided by the Council’s Housing Department and its partner housing providers (housing associations).
In exceptional circumstances and where you live outside of the Cumberland area, the accommodation may be in the private rented sector, if this is the case, Cumberland Council will pay, or organise the deposit for your accommodation (1 month’s rent) and provide you with up to 1 month’s rent in advance, depending on your personal circumstances and an assessment of your needs.
Setting up Home Allowance
When you are setting up home, you will be eligible for a grant of up to £3,000.00 which is available up to the age of 25 to purchase essential household items. £3,000.00 is for expenses associated with setting up and equipping a new home.
In addition to the setting up home allowance you will also be entitled to:
- £169.50 for your first TV License
- £110.00 for your first contents insurance
- £110.00 for cooker/washing machine connection costs (electrical and gas installation should only be undertaken by a registered and approved fitter)
- £110.00 for removal and transport costs
For the first winter you live independently we will help with your bills and the cost of living by providing an additional £30.00 per month until March 2025.
Your pathway advisor will also help you to access other support from us (or your local council if living outside of Cumberland) to help with bills, food and the costs of living.