How we can help
We will:
- help you apply for benefits you might be entitled to – such as housing benefit and universal credit
- help you get an exemption to, or discounts on paying Council Tax
- provide you with a living allowance for 16 and 17 year olds – depending on your circumstances and what type of care leaver you are
- In some circumstances we might be able to provide emergency financial support if there is a problem with your income – for example if your benefits are delayed
Universal Credit
Somerset is a Universal Credit Full Service area. This means that if you are over 18 and would usually apply for benefits like:
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (income‑based)
- Employment and Support Allowance (income‑based)
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
You can apply for Universal Credit online.
The exception Families with more than 2 children cannot claim Universal Credit. They must apply for one of the older benefits listed above.
How Universal Credit works
- Universal Credit is paid once a month, on the same date each month
- There is usually a 5‑week wait before your first payment
- Universal Credit includes housing costs
- It can cover up to 85% of childcare costs if you are a working parent
Extra support for care leavers in Somerset
In Somerset, there is a Care Leaver protocol between Leaving Care teams and Jobcentre Plus. This helps make sure care leavers can claim Universal Credit safely and on time.
This could mean:
- Alternative Payment Arrangements.
- being paid more often
- payments split between people in the household
- rent paid straight to your landlord
- Advance payments
- You can ask for up to 100% of your first month’s payment early
- This must be paid back over 12 months
- You can now apply for this online
- Careers advice, if you need it
- A referral to the Work and Health Programme, if it is right for you
- Extra help from Disability Employment and Small Employer Advisers if you have a health condition
Help from your local council
Your local council can help you:
- make a Universal Credit claim online
- get Personal Budgeting Support
If you need to pay Council Tax, you may be able to get help from your local council.
They can also support you with:
- finding somewhere suitable to live
- Discretionary Housing Payments if you are struggling to pay your full rent
Check your entitlement
You can use the GOV.UK Benefits calculator to check what money you might be able to claim.
You can also work out what benefits you might get using the entitled to website.