2. Other benefits

• Housing benefit
• Health benefits
• Best Start grant and Best Start foods
• Scottish Welfare Fund payments
• Other benefits

Housing benefit

As a result of the introduction of universal credit (UC), housing benefit (HB) has very limited relevance for working-age claimants. However, it can still be relevant for people living in certain types of accommodation – eg, temporary homeless accommodation. There are special rules excluding young care leavers aged 16 and 17 from HB. These rules apply to you if you:1Reg 2(2) C(LC)SSB(S) Regs

•were looked after and accommodated by the local authority for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14; and
•you were looked after by the local authority at your 16th birthday or after that date; and
•you are no longer looked after by the local authority; and
•you are not living with your family, or you are living with your family and are receiving regular financial support from the local authority under s29(1) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.

 

1     Reg 2(2) C(LC)SSB(S) Regs »

Health benefits

There are fixed charges for some NHS items and services. Care leavers who are receiving financial support from the local authority under section 29(1) of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (see here) are exempt from these charges.1Regs 3-5 NHS(TERC)(S) Regs Note: dental treatment is free for all young people under 26.

Charges covered are for:

•glasses/contact lenses (a voucher is issued to cover the cost of the glasses/lenses you require – this may not cover the cost of those you choose to buy);
•travel to hospital for treatment.

Complete Form HC1(SC) to apply. You should then get an HC2 certificate showing you are exempt from charges. This lasts up to your 18th birthday or for one year, whichever is longest. If you are still entitled when the certificate runs out (ie, because you are still under 18 and still being supported by the local authority), make a new claim.

If you are a care leaver who does not receive regular financial support from the local authority, you may also be entitled to help with NHS fixed charges if you are on a qualifying benefit such as UC (with earnings below a specified level) or on the grounds of low income (see Chapter 1).

 

1     Regs 3-5 NHS(TERC)(S) Regs »

Best Start grant and Best Start foods

If you are pregnant or have a baby, you may be able to get a Best Start grant pregnancy and baby payment (see here). If you are under 18, you do not have to be receiving a qualifying benefit to be entitled to a pregnancy and baby payment.

If you are pregnant or have a child under three, you may be able to get a Best Start foods payment card (see here). If you are under 18, you do not have to be receiving a qualifying benefit to be entitled to a Best Start foods payment card.

Scottish Welfare Fund payments

Care leavers who are on a low income may be able to get a community care grant or crisis grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund. A community care grant may be particularly important to help with the costs of setting up home (see here).

Other benefits

There are no special rules for care leavers for benefits other than UC, HB and health benefits. If you are entitled to another benefit, such as adult disability payment, you can claim in the usual way (see Chapter 1).