Savings
Whilst you were in care, Hertfordshire County Council put small weekly amounts of money into a Child Trust Fund. As you approach 18, you'll be given a letter with details of how to access these savings.
Your leaving care personal adviser can provide basic advice and support you to access specialist financial advice, if you both feel this is needed.
Setting up home allowance
You're entitled to a setting up home allowance to buy household items when you move into your first property.
If you didn't access your setting up home allowance before 1 April 2023, you'll be entitled to £3,000, broken down into
- starter pack – £150
- health and safety allowance – £100
- TV licence – £169.50
- main setting up home allowance – £2,580.50.
If you accessed your setting up home allowance before 1 April 2023, you'll have been entitled to £2,139, broken down into:
- starter pack – £50
- health and safety allowance – £50
- TV Licence – £169.50
- Main setting up home allowance – £1,869.50.
Council Tax
Care leavers between 18-21 years old (though not beyond your 21st birthday) are offered financial support by Hertfordshire County Council to pay their Council Tax bill.
This financial support is subject to you accessing relevant discounts and Council Tax support funds via your local council first, with Hertfordshire paying the remainder of your bill after this.
You just need to speak to your leaving care personal adviser who will guide you through the process of how you can access this financial support.