Financial and practical help

If you've recently left school or college, you might need more than advice on training and finding work. You might be looking for financial help to get you into work, or support if you can't work at the moment. This section tells you about the help you can get.

Why you may need financial help

There are a number of reasons why you might need financial help.

• You want to work, but you need support while you look for work.
• You want to train to increase the chances of getting the work you want, but you need financial help to make it happen.
• You can't work, so you need support for day-today living. The most important thing is that you get the right benefits and don't lose out on any help that might be available.

Financial help with training

More information about financial help with training

What happens to financial help when I find a job?

You might have to give up some of your benefits if you find a job. But you might also find that you can get some other kind of help, such as Working Tax Credit.

The Social Fund

If you're living on a low income and you meet the relevant conditions, you may be able to get help from the Social Fund to pay important costs that are hard to pay for out of your normal income.

Help with housing costs

Whether you rent or own your home, your local council can offer advice on housing issues, including how to find temporary housing if the house you live in is due to be sold or you are threatened with eviction.

Whether you are in work or not, you may be able to get Disability Living Allowance for extra costs related to a severe disability. If you are spending at least 35 hours a week caring for someone who is severely disabled, you may be able to claim Carer's Allowance.

Planning for your retirement

Although retirement may seem a long way off, planning for it now may make a big difference in the future and help to give you the income you want when you retire.

What's a pension?

A pension is a source of regular money to live on when you retire. You set up a type of savings account called a pension scheme - one of the most tax-efficient ways to save money.

Why are pensions important?

Everyone needs money to live on when they retire. In fact, retirement could make up as much as a third of your life. So, you will need money for your increased leisure time and you may still need to cover costs such as rent, or your mortgage if you haven't paid it off in full.

General advice

Get Connected

This is an organisation that finds help for young people, whatever the problem. Advisers can tell you what options are available to you and can provide free information on other organisations that can help. If you prefer, they can text important information to your mobile or e-mail the advice to you.

Website: http://www.getconnected.org.uk/
Email: help@getconnected.org.uk
Phone: 0808 808 4994.

Youthinformation.com
This is a website that gives advice on a range of issues such as leaving home, managing money, college courses, health, and working in Europe.
Website: www.youthinformation.com

Clic Online

This website provides information for 11- to 25-year-olds living in Wales. Find out more about education, employment and training, money, relationships, sport and leisure.
Website: http://www.cliconline.co.uk/

Young Scot
This website offers incentives, information and opportunities to young people in Scotland aged from 12 to 26.
Website: www.youngscot.org.uk

When you need extra help

More information about extra help

Advice for young offenders

The Prince's Trust has a special focus on young offenders. You can also ask at Jobcentre Plus for advice.

Help from The Prince's Trust

If you've been out of work for a while, you might find it useful to visit The Prince's Trust website or telephone 0800 842 842. This organisation aims to help young people overcome barriers and 'get their lives working'. They can offer practical support, training, mentoring and financial support.

Contact The Prince's Trust if you need:

• cash to help with training
• support with starting a business, or
• advice on the next steps with finding work.

The Prince's Trust has a special focus on people who have:

• struggled at school
• been in care
• offended, or
• been unemployed for a long while.