What we can help you with
There are many resources available to you. As a Manchester care leaver you’re entitled to:
- Advice and help to claim benefits up to 6 weeks before your 18th birthday including if you are in education or on a low income,
- Maintenance Allowance of £58.90 a week if you are a 16 or 17 year old ‘eligible’ or ‘relevant’ care leaver, living independently or semi-independently(find out what kind of care leaver you are)
- A clothing allowance (if you are 16 or 17 years old, living in semi-independent accommodation)
- An incentive of £10 to £30 per week (if you are in further education, doing a traineeship or an apprenticeship)
- Money towards accommodation, personal needs and an ‘incentive allowance’ to encourage you in your studies, if you are in Higher Education or University
- A ‘Corporate Parenting Allowance’ to help pay for things associated with your birthday or religious festivals. Speak to your Personal Adviser about this and include it in your Pathway Plan.
- £5 per week, if you are in custody or on remand and help to store your belongings and access other financial support.
- Money for a provisional driving licence
- Money for when you move into your first home.
- Financial support in exceptional circumstances
- A monthly international calling card up to the value of £10 (if you’re not from the UK, and have family and friends in other countries)
Maternity Grant
If you have a baby, you can apply for a Maternity Grant worth £500 for essential items for your child. (You can apply up to 11 weeks before the baby is due, or up to three months after the baby is born.)
We will also provide you with additional money in your first home grant to purchase items like a cot, bedding, a pushchair etc.
There’s a lot of good-quality second-hand items out there – remember that you don’t have to buy everything brand-new. If possible, try to save some of the Maternity Grant for when the baby gets bigger and you need items like larger clothing, safety equipment and toys.
Studying and child care
Lone parents can apply for a Parent’s Learning Allowance and a Childcare grant
If you are a parent of a young child and on a college or training course, you will probably be eligible for the Care to Learn scheme. To qualify you must be under 20 years old on the day the course begins. Care to learn will contribute towards the childcare costs until the course finishes (up to £160 per child, per week.)
If you are over 20 years old when the course begins, you could get help with childcare costs from the Sixth Form College Childcare Scheme or from the college’s Discretionary Learner Support Fund.
Speak to your PA about the options available. If you don’t qualify for these schemes we might be able to offer you some support to help you achieve your goals.