The amount of help

The amount you are paid by the local authority should be at least equal to the amount you would be paid if you were not excluded from the relevant benefit, which in most cases will be UC.1Reg 13(3) and (6)(a) SAYPLC(S) Regs, as amended by reg 16 of the Welfare Reform (Consequential Amendments) (Scotland) (No.2) Regulations 2013 No.65 The 2020/21 rate of UC standard allowance for a single person aged under 25 is £342.72 a month, which equates to £79.09 a week.

This is the minimum you should be paid. The local authority should carry out an assessment of your needs, and the guidance suggests that support should include amounts for utility bills, food/household goods, laundry, insurance, clothing, travel and leisure.2Scottish government guidance, Supporting Young People Leaving Care in Scotland, 2004, para 8.2 The local authority has the discretion to reduce the payments to take into account earnings and savings. The guidance suggests it should do so in the same way as the DWP. The guidance specifically states that criminal injuries compensation payments should be ignored and, therefore, should not affect the amount you get.3Scottish government guidance, Supporting Young People Leaving Care in Scotland, 2004, para 8.6

The local authority should not take into account as income anything which would be ignored if you were claiming means-tested benefits – eg, personal independence payment or disability living allowance.4Reg 13(3) SAYPLC(S) Regs

 

1     Reg 13(3) and (6)(a) SAYPLC(S) Regs, as amended by reg 16 of the Welfare Reform (Consequential Amendments) (Scotland) (No.2) Regulations 2013 No.65 »

2     Scottish government guidance, Supporting Young People Leaving Care in Scotland, 2004, para 8.2 »

3     Scottish government guidance, Supporting Young People Leaving Care in Scotland, 2004, para 8.6  »

4     Reg 13(3) SAYPLC(S) Regs »