Homeless: Help for care leavers

Housing help for 16 and 17 year olds leaving care

We can help if:

  • you've already left care, and you have spent a total of at least 13 weeks in care since the age of 14
  • part of that time in care was while you were 16 or 17

It doesn't matter if those 13 weeks were not all at the same time.

Tell us you're about to be homeless.

Financial support

Most 16 or 17 year olds care leavers are not eligible for benefits. We must help you by:

  • providing housing or helping you find and keep your own place
  • supporting you financially by paying you enough for your rent, food, bills, travel costs, for education and training, clothing, pocket money and childcare if you need it
  • giving you any other support you need, such as help with continuing your education, finding work or dealing with personal problems

You can usually only claim benefits if you're also a single parent, or unable to work because of a disability or illness.

Ask Turn2Us about benefit rules for care leavers.