Westmorland and Furness ISA
Westmorland and Furness currently offers all eligible care experienced young people an ISA after they have been in care for one year.
For young people in Westmorland and Furness who are aged 16-18 and have such an ISA there is potential to increase your savings. If you engage in and complete the required modules of the 'Stepladder of achievement scheme' you can potentially add another £1800 to the account.
This is managed via the Share Foundation, more information can be found through their website.
Westmorland and Furness Council offers a junior ISA for every child that has been in care whilst under the age of eighteen and who has been in care continuously for at least one year. This will give you a savings account with £200 to start with.
Benefits - emergency support payments
If you apply for benefits, there may be a period of time you have to wait before you receive your first payment. It is important that you don't fall into hardship during this period, so we will do the following to support you:
- provide you with a support payment equivalent to income support / job seekers allowance if you're living independently or semi-independently and can't successfully make a claim for benefits yourself
- giving you an additional £ 30 a month clothing allowance if you're in receipt of benefits. This will be judged on a case by case basis
- providing emergency payments if you have been waiting for a benefits claim to be established for over three weeks
- providing you with a support payment equivalent to income support / job seekers allowance if you become ineligible for benefits whilst in further education.
Find out more about the Department for Work and Pensions' Care Leaver Covenant offer on GOV.UK.
Managing your finances
For general advice on managing your finances, visit Citizens Advice.